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MNHQ

Shared Parental Leave consultation - tell the Government what you think

29 replies

MylinhMumsnet · 09/04/2013 16:10

Hello

Shared parental leave - who should be eligible, and how should it work in practice?

We've been asked to take a look at the Government's consultation on shared parental leave, which will enable working parents to share leave and pay between them around the birth of the child. The consultation details administrative proposals, including:

  1. Eligibility criteria for shared parental leave
  2. Whether to align notice periods to inform employers of a father's intention to take paternity leave and pay
  3. Notice to bring to an end maternity leave, and give rise to shared parental leave
  4. How employment protections on the right to return to the same job should apply to shared parental leave
  5. How notification to employers will work with the new 'fostering for adoption' arrangements

If you've experience or thoughts on how the new proposals should work, we (and no doubt the Government!) would love to hear it. You can read the full consultation here and submit your response by filling out this quick-response survey. Or, as ever, feel free to post your views in this thread.

The Government has also said it is keen to ensure that the new system works for employers, as well as employees. With this in mind, the Gov has asked employment relations experts Acas to produce a Code of Practice for employers to supplement the new policy. You can engage with this consultation (here)

Many thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
lightsandshapes · 11/04/2013 13:39

Great in theory,.... However, men can't breastfeed and since is recommended to breastfeed for a year at least, then I don't think we can bend biology too much

MissRee · 11/04/2013 13:16

Its a great idea in theory but when I had DD last year and DP mentioned taking part of my maternity leave, his employers were most unimpressed. It was blatantly obvious that they were going to make things as difficult as possible for him and probably would have ended up with him being pushed out (its a very small family-run business) had he taken it.

motherofvikings · 11/04/2013 12:50

It's a great idea that both parents can share the maternity leave.

BUT I do think if it was widely taken up it might affect the maternity packages offered in some male dominated work places. For example DH works in a very male industry. The maternity package for women is excellent (I think you get almost full salary for almost the whole year!)-because there are hardly any women employed. But the paternity package they are 'proud to offer' is the government basic of 2 weeks at statutory paternity pay only! If more men wanted to take extended maternity/ paternity leave I wonder how that would affect the standard maternity package these employers offered? Confused

janey68 · 11/04/2013 07:02

I think shared parental leave, between mum and dad (or rhe two main carers in an adoption or same sex partnership is a wonderful idea and long overdue. I can't see how anyone can disagree really. It promotes greater equality between the parents and is acting in the best interests of the children, by enabling parents to make the choice which works for their family

I think the right to return to the same post should be retained for up to 6 months leave, and then if either partner choose longer I think it's reasonable that an employer can offer an alternative at the same salary and status.

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