Great Britain: consultation on new shared parental leave and the extension of flexible working

Parental leave.  Amend rigid regulations to give more flexibility to employees who become parents: that is the government’s goal.  Here are the proposals: once the first weeks of maternity and paternity leave are over, the parents will be able to share the parental leave.  In detail, mothers will still be entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, and fathers still have their two weeks of paid paternity leave.  The rest of the maternity leave will become parental leave so the father and mother can equally share it.  Besides, each parent will be entitled to four weeks of paid parental leave to be taken before the child’s first birthday, continuously or over several periods.  Finally, there will be 30 additional weeks for parental leave which the parents can share, 17 of which will be paid.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

des, each parent will be entitled to four weeks of paid parental leave to be taken before the child’s first birthday, continuously or over several periods. Finally, there will be 30 additional weeks for parental leave which the parents can share, 17 of which will be paid.


Compensation. Parental leave will be paid with the same rate as now (£128.73 – €147) except for the first six weeks of maternity leave, paid 90% of the salary. As a reminder, currently, mothers get 52 weeks of maternity leav

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Spain: new terms and conditions for in-company training contracts
On 25 November, Spain's Council of Ministers approved a regulation on training contracts. This text defines the terms and conditions for hosting work-study students and interns doing professional...
2
EU: Commission issues first recommendation on human capital as part of European Semester
In parallel with the European Semester adopted on 25 November, which proposes guidelines to member states on economic policies for the coming year, the European Commission has adopted an...
3
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
4
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...