Member Article

New paternity right for fathers

Small business owners have been warned that new government rules on maternity and paternity leave will allow fathers to take up to six months off.

Under the current law mothers can take up to a year away from work on maternity leave and the new scheme will allow up to six months to be transferred to the father, which can be taken once the other parent has returned to work. The changes will be introduced for parents of children due on or after April 3, 2011.

Despite criticism from business groups that the recession is not the time to be implementing new employment legislation the government insist that the number of firms affected will be low.

“The number of businesses affected is expected to be small - less than 1% of small businesses - and we will work with business to make sure any changes are introduced in a way that minimises burdens and gives them predictability in the provision of leave,” said Business minister Pat McFadden.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .