10th September 2010
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Top stories
- ‘Frivolous’ claims responsible for huge rise in tribunal claims
- Flexible workforce solutions gather further pace
- New paid leave for fathers demanded by equalities watchdog
- Increased National Insurance costs will discourage employment
- Whistle while you work
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New paid leave for fathers demanded by equalities watchdog
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has challenged the UK’s maternity and paternity leave provision as the most unequal in Europe and has said that fathers should be entitled to a minimum of four months paid absence from work.
The commission feels that fathers and mothers leave should be equalised with both parents entitled to an initial four months leave with a further four months divided between them thereafter. With the Government committed to extending maternity leave to a full twelve months by 2010 and the commission’s proposals being costed at an annual extra £5.26 billion over and above the existing £2.07 billion, immediate prospects for the proposals look bleak, but the commission has tasted success over its proposals on flexible working which was introduced in 2003 and have a track-record of successfully influencing Government.
