Unions make gains for working parents

Following the introduction of new and enhanced statutory rights for working parents in April, current pay talks are being used as an opportunity to improve negotiated arrangements.

The settlement for Parcelforce managers, concluded earlier this month, improves its range of family-friendly policies. Full contractual pay is available for 26 weeks' maternity leave, two weeks' paternity leave and four weeks' adoptive leave.

At chemical manufacturer Du Pont employees covered by the paternity policy are now entitled to five working days (or the equivalent of a working week if a shift worker) with full pay and one week at the statutory rate of £100. Workers taking maternity leave are now entitled to 18 weeks' full pay. Qualification under the Du Pont paternity policy extends to the partner in a same-sex couple, and employees wanting to extend the paternity leave period can use agreed vacation or approved unpaid leave under the company's work/life policy.

Anglesey Aluminium is offering its employees the choice of "the full allowable period" at statutory paternity pay (this amounts to two weeks off at £100 per week) or a maximum of three days at normal pay.