This is a preview. To continue reading, register for free access now. Register now or Log in

Webinar: Preparing for shared parental leave

Ed Bowyer

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills estimates that there are around 285,000 working couples that will be eligible to shared parental leave from April 2015. Is your organisation ready for an influx of requests?

Shared parental leave is aimed at giving parents more flexibility over how they share childcare between them during the first year of their child's life. They will be able to take it in turns to have periods of leave to care for the child, and/or take leave at the same time as each other. The leave does not have to be taken in one continuous block; employees can return to work and then take a further period of leave. Employees must give carefully timed notices and declarations to be entitled to the new right.

In this 60-minute webinar, Ed Bowyer, employment law expert and partner in the London office of Hogan Lovells, recaps on the shared parental leave basics. He also highlights the following five key issues that employers need to get to grips with:

  • How do the eligibility requirements work?
  • How and when do employees have to give notice of their intention to take shared parental leave?
  • Can employers reject requests for discontinuous periods of leave?
  • What procedures should employers follow?
  • Enhanced pay and sex discrimination - what can employers learn from Shuter v Ford Motor Company?