Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay
Thousands of working families with babies in neonatal care are entitled to additional time off as a day one right without worrying about their jobs and employees can rest assured that employers will have to abide by this ruling.
Neonatal Care Leave
The right to neonatal care leave and pay will come into effect on 6 April this year and is expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents.
Measures ensure employed parents can focus on supporting their family without worrying about choosing between keeping their job and spending time with their baby.
Currently, many working families across the UK are having to return to work while their babies are sick in hospital, and these measures aim to address some of the difficulties that thousands of parents face when their baby is in neonatal care.
“This is a positive step for employees who need to be by their child’s side without having to work throughout, worry about work or use up their existing leave,” said Susan Mayall, Partner and Employment Law Solicitor at Pearson.
“It is also worth noting that this is an entitlement not just a nice to have giving parents peace of mind at what surely must be an emotional time.”
“It is a day one right, meaning that it will be available to an employee from their first day in a new job,” said Susan Mayall.
Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023
Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave (and, if eligible, pay) on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.
The regulations follow the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023. Alongside the Employment Rights Bill it is part of a raft of measures aimed at helping employees protect their rights.
Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.
How can we help?
For legal advice on all aspects of employment law including employee rights, contact our employment law solicitors on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk.
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