Minister announces maternity and adoption leave changes
29/07/2008 :: Northern Ireland :: Department for Employment and Learning
Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey today announced that from October this year working parents on maternity or adoption leave will benefit from changes in employment law.
From 5 October women expecting a baby, or employees expecting a child to be placed with them for adoption, will be able to benefit from their normal terms and conditions of employment, apart from pay, throughout their maternity or adoption leave. Before this change in the law, entitlement existed only during the first 26 weeks of leave (‘ordinary’ leave) with more limited terms and conditions during the second 26 weeks (‘additional’ leave).
The minister urged employers to look at their policies before these changes commence. He said: “These changes will require companies to review their internal policies to ensure that all normal terms and conditions continue for the full period of leave.
“By removing a key difference between the first 26 weeks of maternity or adoption leave and the second 26 weeks, we are making the system more straightforward and beneficial for those caring for children. If company policies currently make a distinction between the non-pay benefits available to a new mother or adopter during their ordinary and additional leave, these will need to be removed before this legislation comes into force.”
Revised guidance on maternity and adoption leave is available from the Department for Employment and Learning.
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