Andrew Bryan says:
“Employment law can be a complex area. Anyone who has to wrestle with maternity and paternity rights needs to ensure that they are up to date and comply fully with the current law. The Work and Families Act has brought in some increases in maternity pay which is likely to benefit about 400,000 women around the UK each year. One of the changes is 'Keeping in Touch' days. These are not compulsory but they Many local businesses are unaware of important changes to the rules on maternity pay which could affect their business give employers and mothers an opportunity to get the mother back to the office for a few days during maternity leave, to ensure they are up to date with what is happening in the office. Since 1st October, statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance and statutory adoption pay will increase from six months to nine months for babies due on or after 1st April 2007, or adoption placements from that date.
This is the start of the Government’s plan to introduce 12 months paid maternity leave. However, the system still remains that mothers are paid 90% of pay for only six weeks. After that, rates plummet to levels which, for higher paid workers, mean in effect they have to return to work to keep income at previous levels. In addition, the new regulations:
- double the amount of notice required from one to two months for women wanting to change their return to work dates from maternity leave
- introduce up to 10 'Keeping in Touch' days to allow mothers to go into work and stay in touch with developments and training there without bringing their leave to an end or losing out on maternity pay
- simplify the administration of maternity payments and allow employers to adjust them in line with their normal payroll procedures
- extend the eligibility for additional maternity leave to all pregnant employees where births are due on or after 1 April 2007
Call Andrew Bryanon 029 9221 0170 for further information.
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