UK Introduces Paid Leave for Parents of Babies in Neonatal Care
Eligible parents can now access up to 12 weeks of paid leave to support their sick newborns from day one.
The UK government has enacted a new policy granting parents of babies in neonatal care a right to paid leave, starting this Sunday.
This measure allows eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave and receive pay, in addition to the existing maternity and paternity leave provisions.
The neonatal care leave will be accessible to parents if their infants are admitted to neonatal care within the first 28 days after birth and remain in care for a continuous period of at least seven days.
Approximately one in seven newborns in the UK requires such specialized medical attention in a hospital setting.
This development is part of the wider employment rights bill introduced by the Labour government, which successfully passed its third reading in the House of Commons last month.
The bill encompasses additional reforms including improved support for menopause, day-one rights for paternity and parental leave, bereavement leave provisions for parents experiencing miscarriage, and enhanced protections against unfair dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers.
Under the new legislation, parents experiencing a miscarriage will be entitled to bereavement leave, with mothers and their partners entitled to two weeks of leave if a pregnancy loss occurs before the 24-week mark.
Furthermore, the reforms aim to provide over 1.3 million of the lowest-paid workers in the UK with guaranteed sick pay, amounting to up to 80% of their weekly salary from the first day of absence due to illness.
Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders expressed his appreciation for the advocacy of families who have been affected by neonatal care.
He acknowledged their influence on the new policy, emphasizing the importance of allowing parents to focus on their newborns during such challenging times.
Bliss, a charity dedicated to supporting families with premature and ill infants, described the reform as transformative, stating that it would provide reassurance to thousands of employed parents annually.
Catriona Ogilvy, founder of the parent-led charity The Smallest Things, expressed enthusiasm about the introduction of the leave and pay available to families.
She emphasized that the new law results from extensive campaigning by parents who have experienced the demands of caring for newborns in neonatal care.
Additionally, Gillian Merron, Minister for Women’s Health, highlighted that the law would alleviate the stress of balancing work and family responsibilities for parents with vulnerable newborns, providing them with crucial peace of mind during difficult times.
This measure allows eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave and receive pay, in addition to the existing maternity and paternity leave provisions.
The neonatal care leave will be accessible to parents if their infants are admitted to neonatal care within the first 28 days after birth and remain in care for a continuous period of at least seven days.
Approximately one in seven newborns in the UK requires such specialized medical attention in a hospital setting.
This development is part of the wider employment rights bill introduced by the Labour government, which successfully passed its third reading in the House of Commons last month.
The bill encompasses additional reforms including improved support for menopause, day-one rights for paternity and parental leave, bereavement leave provisions for parents experiencing miscarriage, and enhanced protections against unfair dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers.
Under the new legislation, parents experiencing a miscarriage will be entitled to bereavement leave, with mothers and their partners entitled to two weeks of leave if a pregnancy loss occurs before the 24-week mark.
Furthermore, the reforms aim to provide over 1.3 million of the lowest-paid workers in the UK with guaranteed sick pay, amounting to up to 80% of their weekly salary from the first day of absence due to illness.
Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders expressed his appreciation for the advocacy of families who have been affected by neonatal care.
He acknowledged their influence on the new policy, emphasizing the importance of allowing parents to focus on their newborns during such challenging times.
Bliss, a charity dedicated to supporting families with premature and ill infants, described the reform as transformative, stating that it would provide reassurance to thousands of employed parents annually.
Catriona Ogilvy, founder of the parent-led charity The Smallest Things, expressed enthusiasm about the introduction of the leave and pay available to families.
She emphasized that the new law results from extensive campaigning by parents who have experienced the demands of caring for newborns in neonatal care.
Additionally, Gillian Merron, Minister for Women’s Health, highlighted that the law would alleviate the stress of balancing work and family responsibilities for parents with vulnerable newborns, providing them with crucial peace of mind during difficult times.
