Rights for Working Parents and Carers

Given the number of changes to parental rights in recent years, employers could be forgiven for not knowing where they stand when one of their employees is pregnant or becomes responsible for a child. But with employment tribunals making large awards against employers who ignore the rules, you simply cannot afford to stick your head in the sand.

You need to be clear about the rights of the employee and your responsibilities as an employer if you are going to minimise disruption to your business and prevent disputes arising.

Working parents or carers can often take different types of time off. This briefing sets out your employees' rights and your duties towards them. It covers:

• Ordinary maternity leave and additional maternity leave.
• Paternity leave and adoption leave.
• Leave for parents.
• Time off for dependants.
• How to avoid the legal pitfalls.