Bosses attack paternity leave plan

Business leaders have criticised the Government's plan to allow men to use the rest of their partner's maternity leave if they go back to work sooner than expected.

The Government's plan to allow men to use the rest of their partner's maternity leave if they return to the job early after having a baby is "unmanageable" and would harm profits, bosses have claimed.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has promised to "transform" the opportunities for fathers to take time off work to spend with their children.

Addressing a meeting of members of the Demos think tank in London, he said current attitudes on child-rearing belonged to the Edwardian era and had no place in the 21st century.

He said the Government will carry through measures introduced by the previous government to permit men to use any remaining leave if the mother returns to work before schedule.

Fathers could even be offered additional blocks of "use-it-or-lose it" leave, which would not be transferable to their wife or partner, to encourage them to spend more time at home with their young child.

Business groups claimed that workers being able to take parental leave in "chunks" rather than a single block would make it virtually impossible for businesses to plan ahead.

British Chambers of Commerce director general David Frost said small firms would find it "too difficult" to implement.

Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.