New paternity rights unlikely to have major impact

New paternity rights unlikely to have major impact, but transfer of leave from mothers to fathers could prove complex for employers to administer

The governmentís new proposals for family friendly working are broadly welcome, but the proposals are unlikely to lead to a significant early increase in the number of fathers taking paternity leave. And the suggestion that three months of paid maternity leave could be transferred from mothers to fathers under specific circumstances could be unnecessarily complex for employers to administer. These are the conclusions of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, responding to proposals announced by the government today.

Rebecca Clake, Organisation and Resourcing Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said:

ìThe governmentís new proposals for working fathers pose three key questions. Will they achieve for fathers what the government wants them to achieve? Do they strike the right note in encouraging employers to see the business case for flexible working? And is the proposal for a transfer of rights to parental leave from mothers to fathers workable?

ìThese proposals should cause employers few immediate problems, as dads are unlikely to be queuing up to take longer paternity leave at current rates of pay. Working fathers already have a right to two weeks paternity leave paid at 106 per week, but CIPD research shows that most canít afford to take it and wouldnít even consider taking further leave at the statutory rate of pay available.

ìHowever, a recognition that fathers should be supported in having a work-life balance as well as mothers is welcome. Our research shows that an increase in the use of flexible working arrangements has brought business benefits. Employers who are supportive of new fathers are likely to be rewarded with a more motivated and committed workforce.

îThe area that will cause greatest concern to employers in todayís announcements is the potential logistical issues that could be posed by the governmentís decision to allow three months of maternity leave, paid at the statutory rate, to be transferred to the father only after the mother has taken six months leave. We need to know more about how this will work. Employers tell us that they are concerned that they could be cast in the role of ëpolicemaní for a complex and potentially unenforceable scheme. In most cases, mothers and fathers work for different employers, making this proposal unnecessarily complicated. If the government is committed to extending the right to paternity leave, it would be far better to allow a simple right for fathers to take paternity leave, and leave it to parents to decide between themselves how and when to take their respective parental leave.î