Flexible Working/Additional Paternity Leave

20th March 2011

Government Guidelines - Flexible Working Hours

The Government extend the right to request Flexible Working Hours and confirm additional Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in force.

The Government has confirmed that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations, implemented earlier this year by the Labour Government, will remain in force.

Additional Paternity Leave will effect parents of children due on or after 3rd April 2011 and will give employed fathers the right to take up to 6 months’ extra leave when the mother returns to work.

In August the Department for Business was considering whether or not the regulations should be scrapped. However the Government has now confirmed that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in force as an interim measure for encouraging shared parenting from the early stages of pregnancy.

Daven Naghen, head of our Employment Law Team, said “Now that it is known for sure that the Additional Paternity Leave provisions will be going ahead in April 2011, women who are pregnant now are planning with their partners for next April. They will have the benefit of the flexibility that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations allow. However employers now need to prepare their policies on Additional Paternity Leave so that they are in place for April 2011.

Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in Force

The announcement on Additional Paternity Leave Regulations was also made part of the plans of the Government to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of children aged under 18 years of age. Currently the right to request flexible working is available to parents of children aged under 17 and disabled children under 18, and carers of certain adults. The Government believes that this extension could effect a further 288,000 employees. The Government has also announced that later this year there will be a year of consultation on the possibility of extending the right to flexible working to all employees. Watch this space for more information!

Testimonials

Jamie Dobbs FCILEx

"I should like to take this opportunity to express my very sincere and grateful thanks for Jamie's unfailing helpfulness and efficiency in all aspects of the handling of my late stepmother's estate. Jamie have always replied to my (many!) queries promptly and comprehensively which has been a enormous help throughout what I know can be a fraught and stressful process. Sadly, it is increasingly rare these days to experience the highs standards of service that Jamie has provided."

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"I think you are brilliant. You can use my comments above. You are efficient, friendly and quite clearly very good at what you do. Mainly you don’t leave people hanging around too long for." "So easy to talk to her and she understood what I wanted. She put me at ease and I cant thank her enough"

James Turner BA

James Turner was extremely helpful with our buying process. Everything went smoothly. We are very happy with the level of professionalism demonstrated by the office. Highly recommended solicitors. Will definitely do business with them again.

Daven Naghen LLB

"Daven provided an excellent service, from attending the first interview with me to the final court appearance. He filled me full of confidence that he would defend me to which he did and come out with an excellent outcome in view of my position that I had put myself in."

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Jamie Dobbs GCILEx

Over the last forty years I have cause to deal with many law firms both in a personal and professional capacity, including some ‘top’ London Companies. In all of those dealings I have never found anyone as proactive and so willing to offer help and advice as Jamie Dobbs. During the last two years Jamie guided my parents through the completion of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Helped myself with the use of the LPA and recently dealing with Probate and Estate Administration following their death.

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Mike Pepper gave us excellent advice. He was always most helpful and accommodating giving lucid explanations every step of the way. Thank you Mike.

Donna Sandison FCILEx

Donna has been helpful and professional every step of the way during the process. Always on hand to answer any queries and totally professional and friendly at all times.