Employment law Solicitors and Families Wait for Paternity Leave Decision
Recently, Prime Minister David Cameron featured in the press for taking his two full weeks’ entitlement for paternity leave following the birth of his daughter. However, for the general population, many employment law solicitors believe that the rules are relatively complex and that this might mean some men do not take their entitlement. For employment law solicitors therefore, the Coalition government’s decision on paternity leave will be of interest.
For the moment, providing a new father has sufficient service with their employer they are legally entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave with either ?124.88 per week, or 90% of their average weekly salary paid to them. But employment law solicitors point out that at such low rates of pay, not all men are able to take the time off. This point seems to be proven by a 2009 survey of new fathers, 45% of whom didn’t take their entitlement, despite the fact that 88% said they’d have liked to. Say employment law solicitors, this shows that the present rate of statutory paternity pay is just not high enough.
Before this year’s election, the Labour government had introduced the idea of Additional Paternity Leave which would allow mothers to pass on the second half of their maternity leave to fathers. Employment law solicitors pointed out that such a plan would give fathers fairer access to leave. But many trade organisations argued that it would have produced too much bureaucracy. The Coalition still hasn’t decided whether or not to continue with plans to implement these regulations.
Nevertheless, from employment law solicitors, to workers, to employers, everyone appears to be in agreement that a simpler and fairer set of regulations must be found. The Coalition has very publicly said it is supporting flexible parenting from early pregnancy. This could be a hint that the Lib Dem idea of giving men time off for ante-natal appointments could go ahead.
Regardless of what happens with paternity leave, it cannot be denied that a fair and viable system should be created. For the moment though, everyone from fathers, to employment law solicitors will be listening out for updates with interest.