Government launches “Modern Workplaces” consultation on changes to maternity and paternity leave provisions and flexible working

On 16th May, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) issued a consultation paper setting out plans:
 

·To introduce a new system of flexible parental leave from 2015, in place of the current maternity and paternity leave provisions.

·To introduce a right to flexible working for all workers who have been with their employer for 26 weeks

·To allow Employment Tribunals to order the employer to conduct a pay audit and publish their results if they have found an employer has discriminated on gender in relation to pay.

·To amend the Working Tine Regulations so that annual leave entitlements can be rescheduled, and carried over to the next leave year, when a worker falls ill during planned annual leave.

 

The government argues that the current provisions on maternity and paternity leave are too rigid, reflect outdated notions of parenting and family responsibilities, and restrict employers. Ministers say that they want to help parents and business by giving them much greater choice and flexibility.

 

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