Parents and carers to be given new protections at work, covering leave entitlement and redundancy rules
Parents and unpaid carers are set to receive a boost with new employment protections, as three Government-backed Private Members' Bills received royal assent yesterday [Wednesday 24 May].
This wave of new workers’ rights has been welcomed by charities and parties across Parliament.
When in force, these new laws will help to increase workforce participation, protect vulnerable workers, and level the playing field by ensuring unscrupulous businesses don’t have a competitive advantage and delivering on our priority to grow the economy.
Parents and carers will benefit from the following new protections once in force:
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:
The Government backed bills will boost support to vulnerable workers, and to parents during incredibly difficult times. Up to 12 weeks of paid leave provided by the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay Act makes the UK as a world leader in this area, allowing parents to be with their babies instead of worrying about work.
Shocking research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission showed that approximately one in nine mothers were either dismissed, made compulsorily redundant or treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their job. The Protection from Redundancy Act will extend existing protections to protect pregnant women and new parents against this discriminatory practice.
Charities have been calling for further support for carers. There are millions of unpaid carers in the UK, and The Carer’s Leave Act will provide the support they need to continue with their invaluable contribution to society. Once in force, they won’t have to struggle between caring for the ones they love and working to provide for their families.
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