West Dorset Magazine - June 2023

More protection for working parents and carers

New legislations has been introduced to bolster support for working parents and carers, aiming to enhance workplace protections. The objective of these fresh measures is to improve leave entitlements and redundancy regulations, ensuring that individuals with caregiving responsibilities can achieve a healthier work-life balance and receive fair treatment in the event of losing their job. These new rights stem from three Government-backed, cross-party bulls that have now been granted royal assent. Once enacted, parents and carers will enjoy the following enhanced protections.

Up to 12 weeks of paid neonatal care leave for employed parents whose children are admitted to neonatal care, so that they can spend more time with their baby at what is a hugely stressful time. This is an addition to other leave and pay entitlements such as maternity and paternity.

Redundancy protection for pregnant women and new parents with the extension of existing redundancy protections to cover pregnancy and a period of time after parents return to work.

A new entitlement for unpaid carers to a week of flexible unpaid leave a year, for employees who are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need. This will enable carers to better balance their caring and work responsibilities, supporting them to remain in employment. Startling research conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission revealed that approximately one in nine mothers either faced dismissal, compulsory redundancy, or were subject to such poor treatment that they felt compelled to quit their jobs.

The Protection form Redundancy Act will extend existing protections to protect pregnant women and new parents against this discriminatory practice. If you have employment worries, feel free to get in touch. Pharaoh Law's Director Solicitor, Lisa Pharaoh, BA (Hons) in Decision Making and Law, has over 30 years' experience in Employment Tribunal and EAT.