Shared parental leave represents a significant change in current legislation which is aimed at giving parents more flexibility over how they share childcare during the first year of their child’s life. It is hoped that this will cater for a growing desire by men to play a more hands-on role in a baby’s first months.
These changes will apply to all employers and will require existing policies and practices to be reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with the Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014.
The regulations are expected to come into force from 1stDecember 2014 and will apply in relation to babies due on or after 5th April 2015. This will also apply to adoptive parents in relation to children placed for adoption on or after 5th April 2015.