Maternity, paternity and family leave: Practical advice for HR practitioners

Employees may take a range of forms of family leave during their employment. These could include maternity leave, adoption leave, paternity leave or shared parental leave. The effective management and support of employees taking family leave not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but helps to create employee engagement, support wellbeing and increase job satisfaction, all of which can contribute to organisational performance. Organisations who are committed to providing a positive experience for employees can also benefit from a strong employer brand whilst supporting inclusion and reducing retention risks.

Employees have a range of rights relating to family leave, typically in relation to pay and time off. These rights may vary depending on the circumstances, their length of service and current legislation. Currently, a number of legal changes relating to family leave are proposed, for which people professionals will need to prepare.

The CIPD provides information on employment rights and employer obligations relating to family leave. This guide will focus on good practice in managing family leave, including how to provide effective support to employees.

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