EAD’s Stephen Pinder discusses the plans for new fathers to get more time off
THE Government has introduced a number of measures broadly identified as “family- friendly policies”.
Its latest proposal, to be implemented by 2011, involves a change to the legal rights of parents after the birth of a child.
After an extension in 2007, mothers get nine months’ paid maternity leave and fathers get two weeks, which must be taken within eight weeks of the birth.
New mothers also have the option to take another three months off unpaid.
Now the Government wants a year’s paid leave, some of which could be transferred to the father after the first six months, although this is unlikely to be introduced this side of the general election.
Post-birth leave has a number of functions, including bonding and obvious health issues, and so the proposal recognises that fathers also need to bond with their new baby while also allowing mothers to re-start work and creating flexibility for families.
Yet, in practice, these new legal rights will bring additional cost and possible inconvenience to businesses.
Payment will always be a key issue, but the plan at least offers choice when at the moment there is none. For many, the question of choice is a key issue, and this policy represents further development in the equality agenda.
