Government plans to give fathers up to three months paid leave have been criticized by employers, who believe that the new rules will put companies under enormous pressure to match occupational maternity schemes. The new Work and Families Bill also increases employees right to parental leave, part-time working and paid holidays. The most controversial part of the new bill is the three months paid leave for new fathers, which would be on top of the current fortnight; if his partner chooses not to take all of her nine months paid maternity leave.
Our view
What a shocker! Is it any wonder that Britain's businesses are creaking under the pressure of huge rafts of red tape and employement law, let alone the costs of losing workers who they need to work.