Following consultation on the issues and benefits around the sharing of parental leave between working mothers and fathers, the government has now published its response to those findings. Its aim is to introduce a system in 2015 whereby a couple can share what would be described at the moment as maternity leave from work in order to look after their child.
The new scheme will allow eligible mothers and their partners to take leave between them for a maximum of 52 weeks and receive parental pay during that time for a period of up to 39 weeks. The new provisions are expected to allow for flexibility so that couples can decide, within certain parameters, to take leave together, opt for the mother to return to work and arrange for the partner to take over the leave period or take the leave in turns.
Eligible employees will be expected to give appropriate notice of their intention to use the shared parental leave system. They will also have to provide some details to their respective employers of the kind of leave that they intend to take, although there will be scope for them to change their minds. In terms of when they actually take leave, employees will have to give a minimum of eight weeks’ notice. Overall, employees will be allowed to give up to three notifications to take leave or notifications to vary the period of leave.
These new proposals have received a lot of coverage in the media and the business community has expressed concerns about the impact the changes will have, particularly within small companies. However, the government is currently drafting up regulations to be published before the Bill goes forward for Royal Assent.
