The Government have announced that they are set to introduce a new strategy for a system of flexible parental leave to help parents balance their work and family commitments better.
The new system must ensure that:
After giving birth a women has the guaranteed right to time off paid in the first few months.
A transformation of the opportunities for fathers to take time off to care for their children.
Making it possible for mothers and fathers to share part of their leave if they wish too.
Also take into account the needs of employers also making it simple to administer.
The Department of Business and Skills (BIS) will be having a discussion as to how to improve the rights of flexible leave to all employees.
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, said right now, most parents simply do not have flexibility they need. Despite the fact fathers can request flexible working, many feel reluctant to do so. There is still a stigma attached. And, when a child is born, men are still only entitled to a paltry two weeks of paternity leave. These rules patronise women and marginalise men."
At the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Director for Employment Katie Hall said we support the moves to make parental leave more flexible, this will help families better balance their work and home life which has shown to lower stress and help improve workplace productivity.
Katie said how the new system must work for both employers and parents equally. Any changes will need to be simple to administer and must allow for firms to plan ahead to cover staff absences.
Alex Askew, Marketing Assistant at Danbro
Umbrella Company, said The implementation of a strategy to better manage how flexible leave is taken and how employers deal with this will have a beneficial effect on employees and this in turn will lead to increased productivity in the organisation.
For further details, please contact Danbro
Umbrella Company Calculator on: 01253 600141,
General Enquiries: 01253 600140,
London Office: 020 7836 8400 or
E-Mail: enquiries@danbro.co.uk
