Family leave rights

We asked for your views on proposals for new rights to time off work and leave, such as time off for dependents, shared parental leave and parental bereavement leave.

387 responses were received. The proposals generally received overwhelming support. However, a number of issues were raised. These are set out in the consultation review document below.

The Department for Enterprise is grateful to all who responded to the consultation.

As a result of the consultation the Department proposes that a Bill be drafted which will amend the Employment Act 2006 to introduce:

• right to time off work to accompany a partner to ante natal appointments, including enabling powers to specify in secondary legislation whether the time off is paid or unpaid, the number of occasions of time off can be taken and the maximum duration of each occasion;
• right to time off work to attend adoption appointments (for single adopters and for couples), including powers to specify in secondary legislation whether right to time off is paid or unpaid, maximum number of occasions and maximum time for each occasion;
• right to unpaid time off work for dependants (e.g. child, spouse, parents) in order to deal with unforeseen incidents, including powers to specify in secondary legislation maximum length of time;
• right to shared parental leave (including shared adoption leave), including powers to specify in secondary legislation conditions regarding duration, entitlement etc.;
• right to parental bereavement leave, including powers to specify in secondary legislation conditions regarding duration, entitlement etc.; and
• keeping in touch days for maternity leave.

Though there is no intention to introduce statutory pay at present, the Department also intends to include in the Bill a power which will enable introduction of statutory pay, for the purposes of the Employment Act 2006, through secondary legislation.

Subject to the Bill completing its passage through the Legislative Branches and receiving Royal Assent, secondary legislation implementing the rights to time off, shared parental and bereavement leave and keeping in touch days, will be brought forward. It should be noted that the secondary legislation will require the approval of Tynwald.