Your chance to have your say on draft family-friendly regulations

Businesses now have the chance to put their views on the controversial changes to maternity, paternity and adoption leave arrangements, as well as flexible working for carers for adults, that the Government proposes to introduce from April next year.

The DTI, which is consulting on a number of issues relevant to small businesses, has published the following draft Regulations:

• the Maternity and Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2006,
• the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2006, and
• the Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006.

In particular, the extended notice period (from 28 days to eight weeks) that a mother must give if she wishes to change her return date, and the right of mothers and fathers to swap leave in certain circumstances, have caused concern to many businesses. The Government says this will assist business planning. On the other hand, the introduction of "Keeping in Touch Days" will be beneficial to employer and employee alike.

These proposals are part of the initiative involving the Work and Families Bill currently before Parliament; comments on the proposals should be made by April 18.

April 18 2006

See the draft regulations on the DTI consultation pages