UK: Government guide to maternity and new additional paternity leave rights

Estimated reading time 1 minute

Male employees with parental responsibility for babies that are due to be born or placed for adoption on or after 3 April 2011 will have the right to take part of their partner’s maternity leave as “additional paternity leave”, subject to certain conditions. The Department of Business Innovation and Skills has published two brief pamphlets explaining the rights and obligations of employers and employees during pregnancy and maternity leave.  Although by no means a full statement of the law, these are a useful summary. Employers may find it helpful to provide pregnant employees with a copy of the employee version as a supplement to any company maternity and paternity policies.

Commentary

Employers who have not already reviewed and updated their policies and procedures to reflect the new right to Additional Paternity Leave should do so now. Pregnancy and Work - What you need to know as an employer, click here. Pregnancy and Work - What you need to know as an employee, click here. For further information or to discuss the issues raised, please contact Colina Greenway (colina.greenway@abbisscadres.com) on +44 20 3051 5711.