How will the reforms affect my parental leave?

The reforms are designed to give parents more choice in the first year of a child's birth Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

The government has outlined changes to the way that parents and other carers can take leave to spend time with their children.

The new rules, which are part of the Children and Families Bill 2013, will come into effect from April 2015.

Shared parental leave

New parents will still be entitled to a total of 52 weeks parental leave. Currently the father can take up to six months after the baby is 20 weeks old. Under the new rules, the full period can be shared between the parents, apart from the first fortnight for the mother's recovery.

Anyone taking up to 26 weeks' leave, even if it is in several blocks, must be offered the same job back. If the period of leave is longer, they must be offered the same job or a similar one.

Notice period

Parents will have to give a "non-binding" indication of what leave they expect to take when they inform their employer of the pregnancy.

They must also give at least eight weeks' notice of any leave they definitely plan to take.

Statutory pay

The reforms do not include any changes to existing statutory pay for parents. This means the father can claim pay for up to two weeks, and the mother for up to 39 weeks.

If the mother decides to return to work, the father would take on the statutory pay on the same terms as the mother.

Changing your mind

Under the new rules, parents will be able to change their leave requirements twice, or more if they are mutually agreed with the employer.

This is designed to give parents a degree of flexibility, and employers some certainty.

Statutory pay will remain unchanged for fathers and mothers Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Flexible hours

The reforms also extend parents' existing right to request flexible working to all employees in an attempt to reflect the increased role of grandparents and other carers.

They must have been working at the firm for at least six months.

It means grandparents could apply from April next year for flexible working to help look after grandchildren.

Surrogate mothers and adoptive parents

Parents bringing up a child born to a surrogate mother and those adopting anyone under 18 are entitled to the full amount of shared leave.

Antenatal appointments

Fathers are also to gain a new right to take unpaid leave to attend two antenatal appointments.

Unpaid leave

The amount of unpaid leave per child available to parents of under-fives - 18 months - will be extended to children up to the age of 18

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