New Family Friendly Employment Rights effective from 28 June 2020
The Social Security Minister has sought approval from the States Assembly for the family friendly Employment Law changes to come into force on 28 June 2020.
The amended law which was approved by the States on 24 October 2019 entitles all new parents, including surrogates and adoptive parents, to 52 weeks parental leave 6 weeks of which is paid. The law also introduces rights for employees to paid breastfeeding breaks and enables them to request a change to the terms of their employment in respect of such breaks. Employers will be required to take reasonable steps to provide breastfeeding facilities in the work place.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has delayed the introduction of extended benefits to all parents which should assist employers with the cost of the increased parental rights. Consequently, the Minister proposed to introduce a temporary subsidy scheme to support employers with some of their additional costs. This scheme will continue until the work on the parental benefit has been completed, scrutinised and approved by the States Assembly.