Partner Article

Clegg's flexible parental leave

Helena Woodward-Vukcevic, at law firm Hart Brown, comments on the proposed changes to flexible working and shared parental rights

Earlier this month Nick Clegg announced the government’s proposed changes to the right to request flexible working and new shared parental rights. Nick Clegg believes that the new system will help employers attract and retain women who may otherwise fear that taking a long period of maternity leave will have an adverse affect on their career.

The rules mean that parental leave can be divided between both parents. Mothers will have to take at least the first two weeks after the birth but following this period both parents will be able to decide how they wish to use the remaining leave. New parents will be able to take up to 52 weeks combined leave between them. Mothers will still have the option to take all 52 weeks if they wish.

The changes are expected to come into force in 2015, following a consultation exercise early next year. The details as to how this system will work in practice are not yet clear although it is proposed that parents will have to provide eight weeks notice of their intention to take flexible parental leave. Adoptive parents will also be eligible for the new flexible parental leave.

The reforms also represent a major change to the employers existing procedures who will need time to plan and guidance on how to operate them.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hart Brown .