Family-related law rights

Changes to various family-related rights are being introduced, all with effect from 6 April 2024.

Amended paternity leave Regulations mean:

• employees will be able to take their entitlement as two separate one-week blocks;

• paternity leave can be taken at any time in the first year after birth or adoption; and

• employees will only have to give 28 days’ notice of their intention to take leave and may vary this with notice.

Requesting flexible working becomes a day one right. Employees will be able to make up to two requests per year (previously one) and employers must consult with employees before rejecting a request.

Decisions need to be communicated within two months (previously three) and employees won’t have to explain what effect their request would have on their employer. Acas has updated its Code of Practice on requests for flexible working.

Changes are being introduced to redundancy rights, meaning that, in a redundancy situation, suitable alternative employment must be offered as a priority to pregnant employees; those on shared parental leave; and employees on adoption leave.

This applies to pregnancies notified on or after 6 April 2024; maternity/adoption leave ending after this date; and to at least six weeks of shared parental leave beginning on or after 6 April.

New carer’s leave Regulations mean employees can apply for up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave in any 12 months in limited circumstances.