Research by the charity Working Families found that while 60 per cent of employers have updated their policies to reflect the introduction of the additional paternity leave and pay on 1 April, 40 per cent have not. Those who have not made the changes said they planned to do so within the next two months.
Under the new rules, fathers will have the option to take a maximum of 26 weeks additional paternity leave, paid at £128.73 per week, if the mother returns to work and transfers the remaining six months of her 39 weeks of maternity leave to them (News, 4 February 2010).
The survey of 85 employer organisations, including, large, small and medium businesses, also revealed that 19 per cent who have made the policy changes plan to give fathers full pay for a period of six weeks leave, while two out of three employers said they will only pay fathers the statutory paternity pay.
Jacqui Mann, managing director of HR4Nurseries, (pictured), said, 'Many employers are unaware of the changes in paternity leave due to take place in April. A small business is not able to offer an enhanced payment and none of the nurseries we work with pay more than the statutory rate.
'I don't see this law having a detrimental impact on nurseries - in fact, you may see mothers returning to work earlier while the partner stays at home.'
However, the news that small businesses with ten or fewer employees will be exempt from new domestic regulations for three years has some organisations worried that they will be able to flout maternity and paternity leave rules.
Rob Williams, chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, said, 'A well-funded parental leave system is vital as a way of kick-starting parental involvement from both mums and dads, regardless of the size of the organisation for which one works. Some employers with fewer than ten employees may need support to fulfill their obligations towards pregnant employees and new parents - but the answer to this is for the Government to ensure such companies receive useful guidance and hands-on support, not to exempt them from these vital regulations.'
