RAISING children is a tough enough job for any parent but tradition has dictated that the onus should largely rest with the mother.

A position our grandmothers, and even mothers perhaps, accepted readily but one which women of today either do not, or more than likely, cannot.

Financial pressure now dictates that more and more mothers have to return to work once their maternity leave has ended.

So the new ruling which allows working mums, and dads too, to refuse to do inconvenient shifts will obviously be welcomed with wide open arms.

By the parents of course.

Fellow employees and bosses may have conflicting views.

All this comes in the wake of part time policewoman, Michelle Chew who successfully sued her force -- the Avon and Somerset -- for sex discrimination because she objected to shift work as a single mother of two young children.

She had requested she work the same three days a week to fit in with the opening times of the nursery attended by her two sons.

Now she has been awarded a four-figure sum and has quit the force after serving 13 years.

But is the new legislation a way forward or does it leave room for exploitation?

Ann Rimmer owns and runs Clock Creative Communications in All Saints Street, Bolton and has just won the Regional Small Employer of the Year Award plus the Women in Business Award.

The 32-year-old prides herself on running a family friendly company, even though she has no children of her own.

"I have a workforce of seven," she says, "and, for some reason, nearly all the females became pregnant at the same time.

"Those with new babies are suffering some sleepless nights -- the men too -- and so I insist they take a 'duvet morning' -- stay at home and catch up with some sleep.

"This benefits both me and the employee because a tired person can't work as well as they should.

"However, while I think the new legislation is a timely one it also may put a great deal of pressure on many small businesses. My workforce is small so on some days I may have a very depleted staff -- but it's worth it.

"I work on the principal that, if I look after my people, they will look after me."

But Ann says she agrees "wholeheartedly" with the new law, announced yesterday (Tuesday) by Trade Secretary, Patricia Hewitt.

"If it makes working conditions a lot more flexible for mums and dads then it can only be a good thing."

Robert McGhie agrees. The 34-year-old hairdresser works at Marcus for Hair on Bradshawgate and, because of his partner's work schedule, has the responsibility of taking and collecting their two-and-a-half year old son from nursery each day.

"My employer is really understanding," says Robert from Bolton, "because I need to leave work a couple of hours early to pick my son up.

"The ruling is great news. It's about time people took the needs of parents into consideration.

"It's a struggle juggling work and family and it's great when an employer takes that into account.

"I'm lucky with my colleagues too -- they are all okay with my situation but I could understand how some -- who don't have kids -- may find it unfair."

Owner, Marcus adds: "I have always tried to be reasonable and flexible with my staff and this new ruling will only insist that many more employers take the same road."

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) said that employers need Government support to meet the new standards.

Bolton and Bury Chamber has welcomed the decision by the Government to rule out an automatic right for parents to work flexible hours and is urging Government to invest in a targeted support package to help small firms implement the new imposed duty to consider requests for flexible hours.

Its chief executive, Andrew Ratcliff says: "The vast majority of local businesses who we represent -- many of them small companies with a small staffing -- oppose a statutory right to work flexible hours, on the basis that firms already provide working patterns where they can.

"Companies recognise that their employees are their greatest asset and pursue 'family friendly' policies because that makes good business sense. They rather resent Government interference and more red tape.

"We have some concerns that some firms will find the new requirement difficult ti implement and will increasingly be faced with tribunal cases..

"We believe the Government should provide guidance and consultancy support if an employer and employee can't agree on hours. This would help the employer's fear of tribunal and also find a solution for the employee."

He adds: "A fully funded consultancy service service to guide small firms through the maze of flexible working rights would be less costly for Government than the tribunal service.

"This would further demonstrate its commitment to helping small firms rather than hindering them through regulations it is imposing."

New rule

PARENTS will be given the right to ask for shorter working hours.

Trade Secretary, Patricia Hewitt detailed plans to give protection to mums and dads who ask to work shorter hours.

However, it is NOT thought to give them the automatic right to go part time. Bosses will be able to refuse if it damages business.

The British Chamber of Commerce said it would be "disastrous" if the move led to more tribunal rows.