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Employment rights for working parents

If you are expecting a child or you already have children, the links listed below will provide you with up to date advice and support on your rights as a working parent.

You can also find out more information by downloading our factsheet called Your Rights at Work.

Pregnancy and maternity rights

If you are a mother-to-be and you are in work, you are entitled to take 52 weeks' statutory maternity leave around the birth of your child. You may be able to claim Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer before and after the birth of your baby. This is a weekly payment, payable for a period of up to 39 weeks.

Your employer may offer better rights than the legal minimum and you will need to check your contract of employment, your staff handbook or contact your employer's human resources department to find out what you are entitled to with your current employer.

Direct Gov - Pregnancy and maternity rights - can provide you with information and advice on working when pregnant, Statutory Maternity Pay, taking your maternity leave, your rights during Statutory Maternity Leave and returning to work after maternity leave.

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Paternity leave and pay

If you are a father-to-be or you will be responsible with the mother for bringing up a child, you could have the right to Ordinary Paternity Leave and pay or Additional Paternity Leave and pay.

Some employers have their own paternity leave arrangements which are more generous than the statutory entitlement. These will normally be included in your employment contract. Ask your employer for more details on this.

Direct Gov - Paternity rights in the workplace - explains what you are entitled to under Ordinary Paternity Leave and Additional Paternity Leave as well as giving you information on issues such as taking time off for antenatal appointments and what to do if you don't qualify for paternity leave.

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Flexible working and the right to request flexible working

Flexible working is a phrase that describes any working pattern adapted to suit your needs. It includes things like part-time working, flexitime and home working. Flexible working opportunities can benefit everyone - employers, employees and their families. Most employers now recognise that it makes good business sense to provide flexible working opportunities for their staff.

If you have the statutory right to apply then your employer has a duty to properly consider your request.

Direct Gov - Flexible working - gives you more information about flexible working patterns and how to apply for it.

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Parental leave

Parental leave offers qualifying parents the right to take unpaid time off work to look after your child or make arrangements for their welfare. It can help you spend more time with your child and strike a better balance between your work and family commitments.

Direct Gov - Parental leave - tells you more about whether you are entitled to parental leave, how much parental leave you can take and what to do if your employer will not allow you to take parental leave.

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Time off for dependents

In many cases you have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on you (sometimes called compassionate leave). You can’t be penalised by your employer for taking the time off, providing your reasons for taking it are genuine.

If you are an 'employee', you have the right to unpaid time off work to deal with emergencies involving a 'dependant' – this could be your husband, wife, partner, child, parent, or anyone living in your household as a member of the family. A dependant may also be anyone who reasonably relies on you for help in an emergency, for example an elderly neighbour living alone who falls and breaks a leg and you are the closest on hand.

Direct Gov - Time off for dependents - tells you more about what counts as an emergency, how much time you are allowed to take off, information on when the right to take time off for dependents doesn't apply and what to do if you have problems such as being refused to take time off.

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Adoption leave and pay

If you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks or more in the week you are notified of a match, you are entitled to take 52 weeks of Statutory Adoption Leave. Your partner can also take paternity leave as long as they have worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more in the week that they are notified of a match.

Direct Gov - Adoption leave and pay - gives information on whether you qualify for Statutory Adoption Leave, when you can take adoption leave, Statutory Adoption Pay and what to do if you have problems taking Statutory Adoption Leave.

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Further help

If you need more information, support and advice to resolve a problem or dispute regarding your rights at work, the organisations and services listed below may well be able to help you.

You can find legally accurate and up to date information on a range of working rights on these websites and if you require further help, you can speak to an advisor through the helpline services that some of these organisations offer.

  • ACAS - The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve employment relations. They offer advice to both employees and the companies or organisations that they work for.
  • The Citizens' Advice Bureau - gives information and advice on all workplace rights including basic rights at work, contracts of employment, rights to pay, sickness, resolving disputes at work, dismissal and benefits, redundancy as well covering topics such as discrimination, parental rights, maternity leave and self-employment.
  • Working Families - is a campaigning charity that gives a voice to working parents and carers helping them and their employers to find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.

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