Menu
29/11/2013
New Rules Will Allow Parents To Share Childcare Leave
Parents will be given the option of sharing leave in a move designed to allow fathers to be more "hands-on" and to stop women having to choose between a career and raising children.
The move was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and will be introduced in April 2015.
The Institute of Directors, however, have described that the move will be a "nightmare" for employers.
In April 2011, rules were changed to allow maternity leave to be split between both parents, with fathers granted six months leave, beginning when the baby reaches 20 weeks old. This leave however has to be taken in a single block.
Under the new rules, the full 52 weeks can be shared by the parents – with the exception that bosses will be able to agree any proposed pattern of time off and will retain the right to insist it be confined to a continuous block, with no more than two subsequent changes.
"Women deserve the right to pursue their goals and not feel they have to choose between having a successful career or having a baby," Mr Clegg said.
He added: "They should be supported by their employers, rather than being made to feel less employable or under pressure to take unchallenging jobs.
"It is already illegal to sack a woman because she is pregnant, or on maternity leave, but we want to go further than that. We want to create a fairer society that gives parents the flexibility to choose how they share care for their child in the first year after birth.
"We need to challenge the old-fashioned assumption that women will always be the parent that stays at home, many fathers want that option too."
(MH/JP)
The move was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and will be introduced in April 2015.
The Institute of Directors, however, have described that the move will be a "nightmare" for employers.
In April 2011, rules were changed to allow maternity leave to be split between both parents, with fathers granted six months leave, beginning when the baby reaches 20 weeks old. This leave however has to be taken in a single block.
Under the new rules, the full 52 weeks can be shared by the parents – with the exception that bosses will be able to agree any proposed pattern of time off and will retain the right to insist it be confined to a continuous block, with no more than two subsequent changes.
"Women deserve the right to pursue their goals and not feel they have to choose between having a successful career or having a baby," Mr Clegg said.
He added: "They should be supported by their employers, rather than being made to feel less employable or under pressure to take unchallenging jobs.
"It is already illegal to sack a woman because she is pregnant, or on maternity leave, but we want to go further than that. We want to create a fairer society that gives parents the flexibility to choose how they share care for their child in the first year after birth.
"We need to challenge the old-fashioned assumption that women will always be the parent that stays at home, many fathers want that option too."
(MH/JP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 August 2014
Two Arrested During Search For Missing Brothers
Two people have been arrested by police searching for three brothers missing since Monday. It is now known that the brothers, Remus (15), Janko (12) and David (10), caught a train to Newcastle while their foster parents thought they were out for a bike ride on Monday evening. The brothers were seen on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Central Station.
Two Arrested During Search For Missing Brothers
Two people have been arrested by police searching for three brothers missing since Monday. It is now known that the brothers, Remus (15), Janko (12) and David (10), caught a train to Newcastle while their foster parents thought they were out for a bike ride on Monday evening. The brothers were seen on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Central Station.
18 March 2014
Working Parents To Benefit From Childcare Allowance
A major new childcare package to help millions of parents has been unveiled by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister today. The measures will help parents to go out to work if they want to and provide more security for their families, while directing extra support to those children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Working Parents To Benefit From Childcare Allowance
A major new childcare package to help millions of parents has been unveiled by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister today. The measures will help parents to go out to work if they want to and provide more security for their families, while directing extra support to those children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
14 November 2013
Police Report Missing Teen Found 'Safe And Well'
Police have reported that a missing 15-year-old girl has been found "safe and well". At the time of her disappearance Ella Hysom, from Colchester, Essex, had been receiving treatment for depression at a hospital in Goodmayes, east London. She had been reported missing on Monday, having been last seen in Ilford, east London.
Police Report Missing Teen Found 'Safe And Well'
Police have reported that a missing 15-year-old girl has been found "safe and well". At the time of her disappearance Ella Hysom, from Colchester, Essex, had been receiving treatment for depression at a hospital in Goodmayes, east London. She had been reported missing on Monday, having been last seen in Ilford, east London.
22 June 2012
New Guide To Help Parents Teach Children About Body Confidence
The government has backed a guide to help parents teach their children to be confident about their bodies. The guide stresses that the so-called perfect body and the emphasis on skinniness is a "socially and culturally constructed ideal".
New Guide To Help Parents Teach Children About Body Confidence
The government has backed a guide to help parents teach their children to be confident about their bodies. The guide stresses that the so-called perfect body and the emphasis on skinniness is a "socially and culturally constructed ideal".
11 February 2010
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
