Licensees need to prepare for new family friendly rights

Law firm Halliwell Landau is warning licensees that they have less than a month to prepare for a the new range of family friendly rights.

April will see extensive developments to the rights of employees with or expecting children.

"Only three years ago a major overhaul of maternity rights meant that new policies had to be dealt with, taking into account a longer maternity pay period, a shorter qualifying period for additional maternity leave and the introduction of what were then brand new rights for parental leave and time off dependants," said Michael Ball, employment partner at Halliwell Landau.

"This April sees even bigger changes with the maternity pay period being extended even further and the qualifying period for additional maternity leave being shortened again.

"Paid paternity leave is coming in this time plus the introduction of new rights to adoption leave and flexible working," Mr Ball said.

He argued the right to request flexible working will have a significant impact on the leisure trade.

"Male and female employees can make a request for changes to their days, hours and even location of work if they have responsibility for a child under six years of age. The change would allow provision of better care for the child.

"A strict timetable has been set that must be followed by the employer when a request is received and there are limited grounds for refusal. Inevitably a failure to respond can be met with an application to the Employment Tribunal."