Small businesses have been split in their response to new legislation that will allow fathers to take up to six months’ paternity leave.
The government has confirmed that plans to allow mothers to transfer up to six months (the second half) of their maternity leave to their partner if they decide to return to work will come into force from April 2011.
Mothers can currently take up to 12 months’ maternity leave, nine paid and three unpaid. At present, fathers are entitled to take just two weeks’ paid paternity leave.
Under the new laws, fathers will be allowed to take over childcare responsibilities after six months if their partner returns to work. They will be entitled to statutory pay of £123.06 a week for the first three months, while the second three-month period would be unpaid.
The changes have been championed by the minister for women and equality, Harriet Harman, who said they will give parents greater flexibility and enable women who earn more than their partners to return to work earlier.
However, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said that frequent revisions to UK employment law are making an already complex area even more confusing for businesses.
John Wright, national chairman of the FSB, told Growing Business: “Employment law is often one of the most complicated issues for a small business, and laws around it are frequently changing. It is really important, especially during a recession, that small businesses have clear and reliable advice that is easily accessible and well advertised.
“Small firms are flexible employers but a one size fits all prescriptive approach to maternity and paternity leave will not work for all businesses.”
Katja Hall, director of employment policy at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), cautiously welcomed the move towards greater gender equality, but expressed concern that the rules could add to an already hefty red tape burden facing small businesses.
“Businesses do their best to support flexible working styles, and this step will give parents more room to adapt childcare to their own situation,” Hall said.
“We recognise the need for greater gender equality when it comes to childcare responsibilities, but the government must get these new rules right, and not create a bureaucratic tangle.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2010