In the United Kingdom, we have one of Europe’s most parent-friendly systems which allows parents to have a quality of life and parental stability not always afforded by other countries.
The Rights of Working Parents
In short, parents in the UK have the working right to some or all of the following :
- Flexible working hours
- Paid leave for mothers (Maternity Leave)
- Paid leave for fathers (paternity leave)
- Paid and unpaid leave for adoptive parents
Flexible Working Hours
All working parents have the right to work flexible hours in order to ensure that their children are looked after correctly. Many working parents in the UK have to work long hours to be able to provide a stable life for the children. With this in mind, the government has introduced legislation that enables fathers and mothers alike to work a set number of hours (agreeable with their employer) in a slightly less formal structure.
This could allow a parent to work part-time hours during the course of a week starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm, for example; alternatively flexible working arrangements may allow for a parent to come into work later on a morning to allow transporting their children to school or a childminder.
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Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) can be paid to a mother for up to 39 weeks after she has had her baby. As a working parent, a mother is entitled to maternity leave and statutory maternity pay if she has been in constant employment with the same company or organisation for 26 weeks prior to the 15 week of her pregnancy. A mother has the right to take 33 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave, which adds up to 52 weeks of entitled leave.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Paternity Leave
In the last few years the legislation governing the working rights of fathers has changed to ensure that fathers can have paid leave to spend with their children after they are born. This is referred to as paternity leave and is paid at the same rates as maternity pay although only for one to two weeks. A father can spend one to two weeks at home with his newborn child if he is (a) the child’s biological father or (b) married to the child’s mother.
Paid and Unpaid Leave for Adoptive Parents
Although adoptive leave is a working right of any parent, it may only be paid for if there are already arrangements and agreements in place with your employer. As with maternity and paternity leave, you must be employed by your current employer for 26 weeks prior to becoming the child’s adoptive parent.
As an adoptive parent, you are entitled to up to 52 weeks leave (26 weeks of ordinary adoption leave followed by 26 weeks of additional adoption leave) which is paid at a flat rate known as Statutory Adoptive Pay (SAP). In order to qualify for adoptive leave – paid or unpaid – you must notify your employer well in advance that you are being matched to a child for adoption. This allows them to make the necessary arrangements – not only for cover – but also if their terms and conditions state you are entitled to Statutory Adoptive Pay.
All of the aforementioned rights are afforded to working parents in the UK and if you are an expectant mother or proud father-to-be then you should investigate the terms and conditions of your employment and enquire as to whether or not these working rights are supported by your employer.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help you find out what you are entitled to, and will also be able to help with understanding the terms and conditions of your contract of employment.
One is aged 14 and one aged 10, for home schooling and childcare. I can’t afford to be furlough and I’m not asking to be and I also can’t afford to take it unpaid.
I just don’t understand why they are being ass’s.
Have a done everything right?
I have just been disciplinary hearing at work because I had to leave work early because my daughters school phoned to pick her up. Had to do this two other times one time my daughter was rushed to hospital. When I did it a second time had a meeting with my boss and told me I had 2 get a contingency plan in place which I have done such as putting my mother has first contact at the school. My daughter suffers from ibs and sensory aura migraines. But if my mother can't get her from school I have to I have no other choice. Today she said I can get fired for this is that right
Does her boss have to give her a certain amount of notice
She has requested fixed days but her boss has said no
I've been working with this company for a month now. I'm in the process of putting my 1yr in daycare, so for now I had to go with babysitters. I only called in twice because my babysitter wasn't able to make it. I got a call today saying I was fired because I didn't have a reliable babysitter.. I also never got a notice they said I wasn't work for the rest to the week....
we both work for the same company but in different departments..my wife's is a Waitress.. And I am a night chef..
My wife's situation has no consequences. She can work mornings or evenings..
Me on the other hand feel helpless.
I was given 2 choices..
First choice is to continue to do night. But when I get home my wife be going to work and I will have stay awake looking after our child till she gets back.. Which means I will be awake for 21 hours and asleep for 3 hours before I have to leave to go work again.
The second choice I had was to move to day shift but take a pay cut and a demotion..
The company seems more concerned with my wife coming back to work
Where do I do about this if I can do anything.?
And if my wife started a different job..
How can we guarantee that one of us is at home with the baby..
evenings, anyway she said please speak to your husband and see if he is happy going on evenings and you work days with me, I have agreed also spoke to my husband arranged everyting and told her that I was ready to start working with her from the 2nd of July. She said ok that’s great let’s let our director know of the news, after I told him he said no to me that he doesn’t have a manager position for me but if I want I can work as an administrator for £5000 pound less in my wage during the day.
Please help me with an advise as am struggling with child care
Recently I requested my company for a week of unpaid leave as my daughter will be with me during 3 week holiday period was refused. So I requested for day shift so I am at home during the nights. This is also declined
Is there any law that can support me in my case
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