New Shared Parental Law Comes Into Force

A new shared parental law has come into effect in Northern Ireland.

The Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, means that parents of children due, or adopted, on or after 5 April, could benefit from shared rights to maternity or paternity leave and pay during their child's first year.

The new rights allow families a greater, more flexible choice over how they arrange childcare during this period.

Through considering work and caring commitments, SPL means that a couple can choose to be at home together, or to work at different times and share the care of their child during their first year.

Parents must meet certain criteria to qualify for Shared Parental Leave (SPL).

Further details can be found on the NI Direct website.

Commenting on the new legislation, Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry, is quoted as saying: "This important package of new rights will allow eligible working families to have more choice about how they balance their work and caring commitments.

"Parents can choose to be at home together or to work at different times and share the care of their child during the critical first year.

"The measures are a proactive response to changing expectations around work and family life. It is right that we do more to support the role of fathers and partners who want to contribute more to the care of their children.

"It is also important to challenge assumptions that only women will ever be absent from the workplace for caring reasons. Addressing these points will have long term benefits for all parents, irrespective of gender."

(JP)