Family-friendly rights

Mark Minns, 3 February 2011

Maternity leave

The EU Council of Ministers have held a policy debate on the European Parliament’s proposal to increase maternity pay to full pay for the first 20 weeks of maternity leave. A large majority of the EU Council of Ministers rejected the proposal because of the cost implications. It is thought that agreement might be reached on extending the minimum period of maternity leave instead.

Flexible working

The right to request flexible working is to be extended to all parents with children under 18 years from April 2011. Currently the right to request flexible working only applies to all parents with children under 17 years (under 18 years for disabled children).