Flexible working 'aids work-life balance'

Flexible working arrangements offer people a good balance between the office and the home, the editor of a parenting website has said.

Debbie Bird of babyworld.co.uk said that she often works from home herself and finds that it allows her to drive her children to various activities and clubs.

"It is very important to me as it provides them with a world of opportunities and at the same time allows me to provide an income for my family to live a comfortable life," she explained.

Other advantages of home working cited by Ms Bird are the fact that time is not lost on travelling to and from work and that she is more productive when outside the office.

"Plus, I feel I am setting my children a good example of being able to set clear deadlines for work and can show them what I do for a living, making my work real for them too," she added.

In April, the right to request people with management skills for flexible working arrangements was extended from parents with children under the age of six to parents with children under the age of 16.