Shared Parental Leave Arrangements Confirmed

The coalition Government agreed yesterday to go ahead with the Additional Paternity Leave regulations agreed by the last government. 

The regulations were originally passed in April 2010 and cover parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.

Additional Paternity leave will give employed fathers a right to up to six months extra leave which can be taken once the mother has returned to work after 20 weeks. Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s maternity pay period. This is paid at 90% of earnings up to the same standard rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) which is currently £124.88 per week (rising to £128.73 from April).

Following the announcement, Business Secretary Vince Cable said “We want to help parents juggle work and family life and create a fairer and more family friendly society." and went on to confirm that his department plans to launch a consultation which will explore proposals for the design of this more flexible system of parental leave.

What Should I do Now?

1.  Communicate - make you staff aware of the change and how it may affect them

2.  Review policies, practices and procedures and make amendments as necessary being sure to document your steps when you work through each process

3.  When executing policies, ensure you adopt a fair and equal approach with all employees

4.  Consider your management team and provide additional staff training, as required

5.  Seek professional advice and support - Commission an Audit to get a full and accurate understanding of your level of exposure

Want More Help?

Still unsure and concerned you may be exposed or need help to amend your existing policies?  Call us today on 0800 612 4772 or Contact Us via our Website and we'll be happy to help you implement the changes.

Have Your Say

The coalition believe these changes do not go far enough and through the consultation announced by Vince Cable plan to push forward with their plans to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees.

What do you think?  Are these changes good or bad for Employers or do they go too far?