MAGRATH LLP HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE
DTI PUBLISHES CONSULTATION ON MATERNITY LEAVE AND FLEXIBLE WORKING

The Department of Trade and Industry has today published a consultation paper on its proposals for longer statutory paid maternity leave and an extension of parents' right to request flexible working. Entitled "Work and Families - Choice and Flexibility", the consultation paper expands on the Government's policy in this area, which was first outlined in September 2004 by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. 

The main proposals are to: 

- Extend maternity pay and adoption pay from six months to nine months by April 2007, with a view to establishing a year's paid leave by the end of the next Parliament; 

- Introduce a new right for mothers to transfer a proportion of their maternity leave and pay to fathers; 

- Consider whether the right to request flexible working should be extended to carers of adults and parents of older children; 

- Give employers a greater degree of certainty about when employees are returning to work; and 

- Simplify the administration of maternity leave and pay for employers, including a proposal as to whether the government should pay parents direct through the Inland Revenue.  

The consultation seeks the views of all interested parties, parents, employees, unions, employers and their representatives. The consultation paper is available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/workandfamilies. The closing date for responses is 25 May 2005.

28th February 2005