A new law introduced in the UK today allows parents of children aged under 16 to ask for flexible working. It is estimated that the law adds a further 4.5 million workers to the number that are eligible for flexible working by law.

The law may require more IT departments to offer mobile and remote working services. However, as Information Age’s Effective IT 2009 Survey found, that is already a commonly deployed IT strategy. Over 80% of 355 respondents to the survey reported that they had ‘encouraged/supported remote or mobile working’, more than any other strategy.

Previously, the law extended the right to those employees with children under six. “Children don’t stop needing their parents’ time when they reach their sixth birthday. As any parent knows, older children going through the teenage years need just as much support and guidance,” said MP Harriet Harman.

A government report accompanying the new law found that around 60% of working parents believe flexible working improves morale.