A recent report by Maternity Action titled Overdue: A plan of action to tackle pregnancy discrimination now has created some interesting reading. Their research looked into the level of maternity discrimination that females are encountering in the workplace and it has led to some rather shocking figures. One of the key figures that they have come up with is that … Read more
Research Identifying Risk of Miscarriage for Night-shift workers New research from the Fertility Centre at University Hospital Southampton has found a significant increase in the incidence of miscarriage among pregnant nightshift workers when compared to women who work nine to five. The study, led by Dr Linden Stocker and Dr Ying Cheong, considered the reproductive … Read more
According to a study by the TUC for the year 2011/2012, less than 1% of fathers take advantage of additional paternity leave up to a total of 26 weeks. The study found that just 1,650 out of 285,000 men took the extra paternity leave. The additional paternity leave is paid at the statutory rate of … Read more
According to a recent article in the Guardian newspaper, female employees are experiencing increasing levels of pregnancy-related discrimination in the workplace. Research commissioned by the law firm Slater & Gordon found that one in seven women surveyed had lost their job whilst on maternity leave, with 40% saying that their jobs had changed by the … Read more
Following a bumper crop of proposals from the Coalition Government in 2012, this year will see a raft of new legislation coming into force related to employment tribunals, family-friendly rights and employee-shareholder contracts to name just a few. Read our guide summarising some of the key updates that both employers and employees should be aware … Read more
When everyone least expected it, 2012 became a dizzyingly busy year for employment legislation. There were periods over the last twelve months where at every turn there was a new government proposal, consultation process or amendment to employment legislation. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, headed up by Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, … Read more
Employment law is in the headlines again as Nick Clegg outlined Coalition plans to enact legislation which would allow parents to take flexible parental leave between them depending upon their personal circumstances. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) also sets out the results of its consultation process on flexible working hours for all … Read more
The Government have announced their intention to introduce a system of “flexible parental leave” which will allow fathers to take time off work and claim benefits if the mother chooses to return to employment. This new system would work well for families where the mother was the main breadwinner, as she would be able to … Read more
George Osborne resurrected controversial plans to dilute workers’ rights by announcing at the Conservative Party Conference that employees can give up some of their legal rights at work in return for shares in the company. Already being called “Beecroft by the back door”, referring to the divisive report on employment legislation by venture capitalist and … Read more
We have much more information on our Maternity Law page. “Congratulations!”…Whether you hear this through gritted teeth or with genuine happiness from your boss, you have rights when you are pregnant, and your length of service is irrelevant. The 4 main rights are: The right to paid time off for antenatal care; The right to maternity leave; The … Read more