subject: Dad's the Word [print this page] Dad's the Word Dad's the Word
Additional Paternity Leave (APL) will challenge the stereotypes which exist today around the different parenting roles of males and females. Some people believe that caring for a baby comes naturally to women and less so to men. Traditionally, men have had a limited involvement in caring for their children and have assumed the role of financial provider whilst the mother cares and nurtures for the baby at home.
APL will be introduced in April 2011. Eligible fathers will have the right to take up to 26 weeks' leave if their partner decides to return to work early from maternity leave. The government have introduced APL to promote equality and provide parents with flexibility in the way in which they share childcare responsibilities in the first year of their child's life.
APL relies on self-certification. It is likely to present something of an administrative burden to employers and present problems especially in smaller businesses as employers seek to cover lengthy periods of absence. Many businesses are currently in the process of updating their family friendly policies and procedures in preparation for this change. The Government have estimated that take up of APL will be between 4-8% of eligible fathers (10,000-20,000) and that they are unlikely to take more than 13 weeks and may take considerably less than this.
It is likely to take several years before it is we see the full impact of APL, but employers should consider taking the following steps:
Update maternity and paternity policies to reflect new rights.
Produce an APL application form. HMRC have forms that you can use or adapt.
Advise your managers of the changes so they're aware of employees' new rights.
If you currently enhance maternity rights, decide whether you will enhance paternity rights or whether you will need to restructure your maternity and paternity arrangements.
Update redundancy policies to make it clear that father have priority for suitable alternative vacancies while on APL.
More detailed information is available in our factsheet 10 things every employer should know about additional paternity pay and leave'
The HR Headmistress' Guide to workplace investigations (How to Get Top Marks in Tackling Workplace Investigations) publication date is on 31st March 2011. For more information visit www.thehrheadmistress.co.uk
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