date: 30 March 2007
For immediate release
TUC welcomes improved maternity rights and new flexible working for carers
The TUC today (Friday) welcomed the Government's improved maternity rights and the new right for many carers to request flexible working which comes into force this week.
Mothers of babies due on or after this Sunday (1 April) will now be entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave, regardless of how long they have worked for their employer, and 39 weeks of maternity pay. Similar arrangements are now available to adoptive parents. Until now most expectant women and new adoptive parents have been entitled to 26 weeks paid leave.
The TUC also welcomed the decision to give many carers the right to request flexible working from next Friday (6 April), but called on the Government to open this up to all workers, in recognition of the positive impact that flexible working can have on individuals, on families and on society overall.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'We welcome this extension of paid maternity leave, although we would like to see the rate of pay increased to make it more useful for new families. One of the most expensive times is round the birth of a new baby.
' A flexible approach to work makes sound business sense, both in terms of company profits, and staff recruitment and retention. The TUC would like the right to request flexible working to be extended to include parents of older children - many of whom desperately need to work flexibly to better manage their work and home lives.'
For more information about maternity leave, flexible working and your rights at work, visit the TUC's work advice website www.worksmart.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The regulations were adopted in October which means that mothers whose babies are due on or after 1 April 2007 will need to have given notice around Christmas 2006 in order to benefit from the new rights.
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Contacts:
Media enquiries: Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337; M: 07881 622416;
E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk
Press release (400 words) issued 30 Mar 2007
