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Article: Advice on Family Friendly Policies
Date: 19 Feb 2003
MASSER & CO ISSUES ADVICE ON FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES
Over recent months the Issue of "family-friendly policies" has been a much debated subject, writes Rachel Gull, partner and employment law specialist with Nottingham and West Bridgford based solicitors, Masser & Co.
We have seen the introduction of parental leave and time-off for dependants. The parental leave regulations apply to all employees with at least one year's continuos service and responsibility for a child born or placed for adoption on or after 15th December 1999. The basic entitlement is to 13 weeks' unpaid leave which may be taken up to the child's fifth birthday, or up to the fifth anniversary of the child's adoption or 18th birthday, whichever is the earlier.
In the case of children entitled to a disability living allowance, leave may be taken up to their 18th birthday.
The maximum amount of leave which can be taken in one year is four weeks. In certain circumstances it can be postponed.
Employers should be vigilant to the fact that they will only take on the balance of an entitlement to parental leave when taking on new employees.
As for time off for dependants, with the effect from 15th December 1999, employees are entitled to take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to help a dependant if they become ill or are injured.
The regulations also include a right to time off in the event of the death of a dependant and when child care arrangements are unexpectedly disrupted. Again, the time off will be unpaid.
Whilst these policies may place a burden on employers, many employees may decide they cannot take advantage of their new rights due to the fact that the time off work will be unpaid.
If you require further information in connection with any of the issues raised above, please contact Rachel Gull.
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