Nursery World - New employment laws on parents' rights and benefits

New employment laws on parents' rights and benefits are being nationally advertised ahead of their enforcement from 6 April. The legislation gives fathers the right to two weeks paid paternity leave, and mothers and fathers with children under six, or disabled children under 18, will have the right to request that their employers consider flexible working to help them balance their careers with childcare. Maternity pay has also been increased, giving mothers six months leave at 100 a week and the chance to take an extra six months unpaid. Launching the publicity campaign, trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt stressed that changing 'macho culture' would only succeed if fathers were taken seriously and took up flexible working and paternity leave. She said, 'I urge men at the top of business to take the lead in helping create a new work culture.'

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