Search

How can we help?

Icon

Government responds to consultation extending parents’ redundancy protection

Earlier this year the Government ran a consultation on how and whether to extend the redundancy protection for pregnant women and new parents. It has now published its response.

As a recommendation born out of the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, the response stresses that the government is committed to bringing forward new protection through applicable legislation “when parliamentary time allows”. Alas therefore, this is unlikely to see the light of day until phrases such as “Brexit” and “no-deal” have been ousted from current parliamentary vocabulary. Nevertheless, there is value in knowing, understanding, and preparing for the government’s plans.

Jacob Montague

Solicitor

View profile

+44 118 960 4613

The government is committed to bringing forward new protection through applicable legislation “when parliamentary time allows”.

The key responses:

  1. The government will ensure the redundancy protection period will apply from the point the employee informs the employer that she is pregnant, whether orally or in writing. Additionally, there will be an extension of the redundancy protection period to six months once a new mother has returned to work. Crucially employers and employees will have to carefully consider how the oral conversation might be evidenced should its existence be called into question.
  2. The government will also seek to extend the redundancy period for six months following a return to work from adoption leave, promoting parenting parity.
  3. Shared Parental Leave is still a contentious and complicated issue. The government however does propose to extend the redundancy protection period for those returning from shared parental leave, but recognises that there are issues of proportionality. The example given is that it would not be proportionate to offer the same amount of protection to a father returning from one week’s shared parental leave, as they might a mother returning after 12 months’ maternity leave.
  4. After reviewing the responses, the government recognised that information on such parental protection was often sparse and many struggled to find the information. The government admitted that this needed to change, and suggested information should be more readily available at, by way of example, schools and GP surgeries.

About this article

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.

Jacob Montague

Solicitor

View profile

+44 118 960 4613

About this article

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 01 June 2023
  • Employment

Facts employees should know about their personal data

We previously published an article on facts an employer should know about holding personal data, so it is only fair that we also write about the other side of the coin – facts employees should know as individuals whose personal data is held by their employer.

art
  • 01 June 2023
  • Immigration

What is the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and how much do you have to pay?

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a levy on companies who sponsor migrant workers. This levy was imposed on 6 April 2017. The Government states that the charge has been levied to contribute towards addressing the skills gap in the local economy.

art
  • 26 May 2023
  • Employment

Avoiding discrimination in flexible working requests

The right to request flexible working is currently available to employees with at least 26 weeks’ service and is set to be extended further under new Government reforms.

art
  • 25 May 2023
  • Corporate and M&A

Management Buyout – Top 5 things to consider

A management buyout is a financial transaction in which a member of the management team purchases the company from its registered owner. MBO’s usually occur in private companies in an effort to enhance profitability and simplify strategies.

art
  • 25 May 2023
  • Employment

Carer’s Leave Bill set to become law

On 19 May 2023, the Carer’s Leave Bill had its third reading in the House of Lords, and upon receiving Royal Assent, will become law. There is not yet a date for the implementation of this bill, however it is likely that this will happen relatively quickly upon receiving Royal Assent, so is definitely one to keep an eye on.

art
  • 18 May 2023
  • Immigration

Navigating SOC Codes

When it comes to UK immigration, understanding the intricacies of the system is vital. One significant aspect of the process revolves around Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes. SOC codes play a crucial role in determining the eligibility for an individual to apply for a work visa, assessing skill levels, and matching individuals to appropriate job roles.