Parental leave directive

The Government has published a consultation paper setting out how it would implement the European Parental Leave Directive into UK law. Under the proposals, for the first time mothers, fathers and adoptive parents would have the right to take up to 13 weeks off work over the first five years to care for each child. Ordinary maternity leave is also extended by a month from 14 to 18 weeks and an extra 1m women could gain from the reduction in the qualifying period for additional maternity leave from two years to one.

The new regulations will give fathers a legal right to take time off at the birth or adoption of a child, rather than relying on the goodwill of their employer.Parents will also be entitled to time off to cope with family emergencies, such as accidents, the death of a relative or injury to a dependant. Employers will have the right to postpone leave where business needs make it 'necessary' and it is 'reasonable' to do so, however this cannot be for a period of longer than six months. Results of the consultation will be published on 15 October. It is expected that the scheme affecting new borne children will apply to births after 15 December 1999. We will keep you briefed on the legislation in Facilities Management Legal Update.
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