Family Friendly Policies

This page was last updated in March 2008 - as the regulations in these areas change frequently please contact us for up-to-date advice and information.

'Family Friendly' is a term used to describe a range of employment legislation, or policies, aimed at improving the work/life balance and the rights of parents, adopters and carers. The government is committed to annual improvements in Family Friendly benefits and the range currently includes:

• Adoption Leave and Pay
• Flexible Working
• Maternity Leave and Pay
• Parental Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Time Off for Dependants

Each of these areas are quite complex and they all interact with each other to provide combinations of benefits. Employees must meet the relevant qualifying criteria for each benefit and varying levels of benefit may be available - eg Maternity Leave entitlement can range from 26 weeks to 52 weeks.

The following gives an overview of each benefit - please contact us for detailed information, advice and template documents.

Adoption Leave
Paid Adoption Leave is available on the adoption of a child, if an employee qualifies. Adopters are entitled to up to 52 weeks' Adoption Leave and up to 39 weeks' Adoption Pay.

The partner of an individual who adopts, or the other member of a couple who are adopting jointly, may be entitled to Paternity Leave and Pay.

Flexible Working
Parents or Carers of Young Children, and Carers of Adults, have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements, provided they have worked for the employer for at least 6 months.

This right enables mothers, fathers and carers to request to work flexibly. It will not provide an automatic right to work flexibly, as there will always be circumstances when the employer is unable to accommodate the employee’s desired work pattern. The right is designed to meet the needs of both parents and employers, especially small employers. It aims to facilitate discussion and encourage both the employee and the employer to consider flexible working patterns and to find a solution that suits them both. The employee has a responsibility to think carefully about their desired working pattern when making an application, and the employer is required to follow a specific procedure to ensure requests are considered seriously.

Maternity Leave
Paid Maternity Leave is available if an employee qualifies. Mothers are entitled to up to 52 weeks' Maternity Leave and up to 39 weeks' Maternity Pay.

Maternity Leave and Pay is particularly complex, with a number of specific requirements being placed on both the employee and the employer. Please seek advice as soon as your employee advises you that she is pregnant - we can provide a Practical Guide, Maternity Calendar, Template Letters and Forms, as well as sound advice.

Parental Leave
Parental leave is granted solely for the purpose of caring for a named child for whom the employee is responsible.

Eligible male and female employees are entitled to a total of 13 weeks' unpaid leave due to the birth or adoption of each child. The 13-week entitlement is available in respect of each child for which the employee has ‘responsibility’.

Paternity Leave
Paid Paternity Leave is available to the father of a newborn baby, where the employee qualifies. Eligible employees will be entitled to choose to take either 2 x one week, or two consecutive weeks’, Paternity Leave (not odd days).

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) will be at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

Time Off for Dependants
Time Off for Dependants is available to all employees regardless of their length of service. All employees have the right to take a ‘reasonable’ period of time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant and not to be dismissed or penalised for doing so. The amount of time off that is ‘reasonable’ will be dependant on the individual circumstances.

Related Topics

Absence Management

Contracts of Employment

Employment Documentation

Employee Handbooks

Employment Law

Equal Opportunities