UK law provides rights and protections for employees with parental responsibilities. These include rights to time off (some of it paid), protection against discrimination and the ability to request flexible working arrangements.
What are your maternity, paternity, parental and family leave rights as an employee?
Most employees who have at least 26 weeks’ continuous service are legally entitled to have a request for flexible working seriously considered. A request for flexible working might include a change to flexitime, part-time, working from home or some other arrangement.
An employer can only refuse the request for limited business reasons: for example, because the proposed flexible working arrangements would be too expensive or harm business performance. Employers that do not agree to a request for flexible working must ensure they follow the right procedures and give a valid reason.
Some of the key parental rights in the workplace include:
- maternity leave and pay – eligible employees are entitled to up to 52-weeks maternity leave and 39-weeks Statutory Maternity Pay as well as enhanced protection in terms of discrimination, unfair dismissal and redundancy;
- paternity leave and pay – eligible employees are entitled to up to 2-weeks of paternity leave paid at the lower of the statutory rate or 90% of their standard weekly income;
- shared parental leave – eligible employees are entitled to share 50-weeks of leave and 37-weeks of pay (at the lower of the statutory rate or 90% of the employee’s weekly pay) in the child’s first year of life/ adoption;
- dependants’ leave – eligible employees are entitled to take “reasonable” time off to deal with emergency situations;
- parental leave – eligible employees are entitled to up to 18 weeks unpaid leave over up till the child’s 18th birthday;
- carers’ leave, eligible employees can take up to 1-week of unpaid leave per annum to care for a dependant with a long-term health condition;
- parental bereavement leave, eligible employees can take up to 2-weeks leave following the death of a child under 18 or a still birth after 24-weeks of pregnancy;
- flexible working, eligible employees have a statutory right to make a flexible working application to adjust their work schedule. This is dealt with as a separate topic here. Learn more about your flexible working rights.
What does a maternal, paternal and family rights solicitor do?
If you think that your employer is breaching its legal obligations, it is wise to get advice early. Our team of experienced employment solicitors can:
- advise on your entitlement to maternity, paternity, parental or family leave and pay;
- negotiate with your employer to resolve disputes informally where possible;
- bring tribunal claims if it is not possible to resolve disputes informally.
We’re here to give you clarity, confidence and strong legal support every step of the way. If you are concerned about requesting a flexible working pattern, requiring time off, or holiday entitlements, our employment law team can provide you with specific details concerning your situation.
Why choose B P Collins as your maternal, paternal and family rights’ solicitors?
With over 50 years of experience in employment law, we’re consistently ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for the strength of our employment practice. Our solicitors have helped hundreds of employees – from junior staff to senior executives – navigate their rights with confidence and clarity.
Our team of solicitors at B P Collins are also members of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Price and service transparency
We pride ourselves on achieving the best possible and most cost effective outcomes for our clients, be that through pursuing a strike out of some or all of a claim or defence or negotiating an appropriate settlement.
View our price and service transparency here.
Contact our flexible working solicitors today
If you require legal assistance or advice on flexible working matters, do not hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team of employment lawyers, who are based in London, Ickenham, Thame and Gerrards Cross, on 01753 889995 or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk.
For further information or advice on parental rights or discrimination, please contact our experienced parental rights lawyers, who are based in London, Ickenham, Thame and Gerrards Cross, on 01753 889995 or enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk.
