Posts with tag paternityleave
How much maternity leave can I take?
Pregnancy & birth, Family finances, Work
New 'Apprentice' sidekick Karren Brady recently admitted to taking just three days off when her daughter was born. But while her decision may have been more about fear of losing her footing on the career ladder, for many mums, money worries and financial pressures mean they're being forced back to their desks early.
And one in ten of us are cutting short planned maternity leave, according to research from the comparison site www.uSwitch.com
So here's our guide to your maternity leave - your finances and your rights.
Fathers to get up to six months of paternity leave
Babies, Pregnancy & birth, Money & work, Latest news
Dads will be allowed to take up to six months of paternity leave if the baby's mum wants to go back to work, it has been reported.
They will be allowed to take time off work in place of the last six months of the mother's maternity leave.
Fathers will be able to take three months off, with statutory pay of £123 a week, and three months unpaid.
So it's probably only really an option for women who earn more than their partners.
Currently fathers are only allowed two weeks of paternity leave, when their child is born - which is also paid at the statutory rate of £123 a week, so is pretty much useless.
The new paternity changes are expected to come into force in April next year.
Study suggests parents unable to exercise rights to flexible working
Childcare, Money & work, Latest news
A new study, conducted by the Working Families charity, has discovered that over a third of working parents (34%) say they don't feel able to exercise their rights to flexible working hours. The study, carried out in partnership with Kleeneze on 2000 working parents across the UK, also discovered that many working parents believe employers need to offer more practical help in order to help them achieve a better work and life balance.
The recession appears to be having an impact too, with 37% of working parents believing it has had a negative effect and has led to them working even longer hours.
Almost half of men don't take paternity leave
New research reveals that almost half of men are not taking the two weeks paternity leave they have a legal right to. The main reason they give for not taking the leave is that they simply can't afford to.The study of 4,500 parents in Britain shows that 2 out of 5 men fear that asking for flexible working arrangements will have a negative effect on their career prospects. The study, carried out by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, revealed that new dads are actually working longer hours in order to provide for their family, and are therefore struggling to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
The study goes on to identify that 2 out of 5 men would prefer to spend more time with their kids, but are unable to at the current time. Consequently, when looking for a new job the availability of flexible hours is a big factor.
Up The Duff - In which I'm betwixt shock, awe and horror
Pregnancy & birth, Up the duff without a paddle
What happens when you're 37, almost infertile, in a new relationship and you go and get pregnant by accident? Find out in Sarah Powell's popular weekly column: Up the Duff Without a Paddle.
This week: Childcare, maternity leave and piles.
It's been a week of shock, horror and awe, mostly all at the same time. I've been so overcome with emotion it's rendered me imbecilic on more than one occasion. Tie up my shoe laces? Can't remember how. Feed the cat? Do we have a cat, then? Feed myself? Can't be bothered.
First off, I'm shocked at just how expensive it is to get decent childcare. Forget decent childcare, it's expensive to get any childcare. The local nursery that has been recommended to me charges £66 per day for babies. Does that sound expensive to anyone else?
Maternity pay extension scrapped - thanks a lot
Babies, Pregnancy & birth, Money & work, Latest news
A Government pledge to extend maternity pay to a year is being scrapped, it has been reported.
The Guardian says the pledge made during the election campaign is being dropped because the Government can't afford it.
Maternity pay appears to be one of the first targets as the Government tries to reduce spending.
Brilliant - penalise mums for the economic crisis. Thanks a bunch.
Giving mothers the pittance they call statutory maternity pay for an extra three months would have been worth up to £1,600 for families but would have cost £500 million overall.
Replacing the Trident missile will cost upwards of £20 billion, just in case you want a figure to put this in context.
How would you improve family life in the UK?
Fun & activities, Money & work
Have you got a great idea that could transform family life in the UK? If so, the Government wants to hear from you.
A competition has been launched to find a "Big Family Idea" - something to improve family life.
The winning idea will be funded by the Big Lottery Fund to the tune of £150,000.
It's part of the first ever National Family Week – as reported on ParentDish last week.
The contest is open to anyone in the UK – whether they are experts on family policy, a child or a grandparent – someone of any age, from any walk of life, with a brilliant idea.
It could be aimed at improving family life in your street, your town or across the whole country. It could be a product, service, event, campaign or a great social idea.
The winner will get to discuss their idea with senior political figures, and the idea will be turned into reality with £150,000.
And there's the problem. You're not going to transform family life with £150,000. Well, you might be able to transform my family life with £150,000, but there wouldn't be much left for anyone else.
