Work and Families Bill: consultation on paternity rights . . .

The DTI has launched a consultation setting out how it envisages additional paternity leave and pay will work in practice and seeking views on some of the fundamental aspects of the regime.

The Work and Families Bill, currently working its way through Parliament, provides for regulations to be made permitting fathers to benefit from additional paternity leave if the mother returns to work before the end of the maternity leave period to which she is entitled. The Bill also makes provision for fathers taking such leave to receive statutory additional paternity pay where some of the mother's entitlement to statutory maternity pay remains at the time of her return to work.

Key questions include how long an employee should have worked for the employer before qualifying for additional paternity leave, and whether a gap between the end of the mother's maternity leave and the start of additional paternity leave should be permitted.

Responses to the consultation are requested by 31 May 2006.

  • Choice and Flexibility: Additional Paternity Leave and Pay (PDF format, 158K)    Read the consultation in full on the DTI website.

    Also

    Work and Families Bill   EOR examines the forthcoming changes to the Government's family-friendly regime.

    Legal Q&A: Work and Families Bill   Personnel Today answers questions on the Bill.

    Staying in touch - maternity legislation amendments   Employers' Law looks at the concurrent consultation on changes to the statutory maternity leave and pay system.