There are three Government-backed Private Members’ Bills that will give parents and unpaid carers new protections at work regarding extended leave entitlements and redundancy protections. These Bills received Royal Assent on 24 May 2023. However although the bills have now become Acts of Parliament they will not come into force until the government publishes regulations explaining how they intend operate the new measures, these are not expected until the early part of 2024
The basic details of the 3 acts are shown below
- the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which will allow eligible employed parents whose new-born baby is admitted to neonatal care (premature or sick) to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave in addition to other leave entitlements such as maternity and paternity leave;
- the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023, which will allow for the extension of existing redundancy protections while on maternity, adoption or shared parental leave to also cover pregnancy and a period of time after a new parent has returned to work following such leave. This new Protection from Redundancy Act will extend existing protections to protect pregnant women and new parents.
- the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, which will create a new statutory entitlement to one week of flexible unpaid leave per year for employees who are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need. This is a Day 1 right for employees to take at least one week’s unpaid carer’s leave in any 12-month period to provide care for, or make arrangements to provide care for, a dependant who has a long-term care need.
- In this context, a “long-term care need” means: an illness or injury (whether physical or mental) likely to require at least three months of care;
- a disability under the Equality Act 2010; or
- care needs relating old age (although “old age” is not defined).
I will update you when more information becomes available.