Coalition could rewrite paternity leave plans

Regulations introduced by the Labour government for extended paternity leave for fathers could be shelved and rewritten by the coalition, it has been revealed.

The Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, which were made just three weeks before parliament was dissolved for the general election, give fathers of babies due on or after 3 April 2011 the right to take up to 6 months' paternity leave, in addition to their existing two week entitlement.

However, the coalition promised a new system of flexible parental leave in their programme for government and it is thought that ministers are preparing to scrap the incoming changes in order to develop their own more far-reaching proposals.

Theresa May, Minister for Women and Equalities, was asked in parliament about the government’s plans for the 2010 Regulations and she stoked speculation by not confirming their implementation would go ahead.

She responded: “We are looking into how we can avoid constantly requiring businesses to effect innovations, and we are examining the timetabling of the additional paternity leave and flexible parental leave regulations.”

Under the regulations that are due to apply from next year, fathers will only be able to take additional paternity leave if the mother has returned to work, and even then not before the baby is 20 weeks old. The coalition is thought to prefer a more radical approach that would give parents more flexibility over how and when they share leave between them, possibly including both parents taking time off simultaneously.

Audrey Williams, head of discrimination at law firm Eversheds, commented: "It would be unfortunate if the government were to allow the existing regulations to take effect only then to change the system a short time later. So it is reassuring to learn that the government is alert to the difficulties that would cause. But employers and employees alike need to know sooner rather than later whether or not the regulations will take effect next year. Time is marching on and the first babies whose fathers would benefit from the existing regulations are no longer just a twinkle in their parents' eye.”

Source People Management