Revised maternity leave rights from April 2008???

[pamirka]

My midwife has told me that the rules on maternity leave are going to change again in April 2008. Has anyone else heard this and do you know how our rights will be affected?

Thanks, Emma

Really? Haven't heard anything about it to be honest, I know it changed in April 2007.
There's a site here which has maternity leave stuff on and there's a link on it which allows you to enter your own personal info to calculate your entitlement. The site mentions about babies born before or after April 2007 but I can't see anything about a difference in 2008. Anyone else heard anything?

i think in 2009 they will extend smp by 3 months to a full year

It was going to be 2008, but has been put back to 2009 and may even be 2010 now. The proposed change will give a total of 52 weeks parental leave that can be shared between both parents. e.g. mother takes 26 weeks maternity leave, returns to work and then father takes 26 weeks paternity leave. It will be up to each family how they decide to split it, but you'll only be able to swap over once (I think). All paid at statutory rates. Sounds like a total nightmare to administer as, in most cases, both parents don't tend to work for the same company.

It's not going to be 2009. The Revenue put out a statement a while back saying that they were now working to 2010.

As Somersetmum says, they've realised how blooming complicated it is to share maternity leave between two parents at completely different companies...I wouldn't hold your breath for it coming into force at all.

Oh well... that answers that, then! Thanks anyway. Emma.

No changes as far as I'm aware and I work in the field.

Sounds hugely complicated - a nightmare to implement.