Extending the right of parents to ask for flexible working arrangements could deepen Britain's economic problems, it has been claimed.
According to John Cridland, the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) deputy director-general, extending such rights will place "extra burdens" on firms in the UK, reports the Independent.
Speaking to the newspaper, he said: "Any plans that would hamper our companies as they compete in the global economy should concern us all."
For this reason, the government must not give in to demands made by trade unions for a large-scale extension of workplace rights, he added.
Recently, the newspaper reported that ministers plan to encourage more fathers to use their right to flexible working arrangements as the government believes that this will help tackle social ills.
Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror reported that Conservative MP Brian Binley thinks parents will exploit any new flexible working rights in order to take extra time off.
