Category: Maternity rights

Stronger protections for pregnant women and new parents against unfair dismissal

Tribunals to use a new, stricter, approach for dismissal cases involving pregnant women and new parents from 2027 Pregnant women and new parents will now have stronger safeguards to protect them from unfair dismissal, requiring employers to go further than ever before. • New protections will also extend to employees on adoption, shared parental, neonatal … Continue reading Stronger protections for pregnant women and new parents against unfair dismissal →

Do Student Loans discriminate against mothers?

The student loans system was supposed to be a safe and fair way for everyone who seeks further education to get the funds they need. It may come as a shock to some, but women on maternity leave in the UK who are paying off their student loans still accrue interest when they are on … Continue reading Do Student Loans discriminate against mothers? →

Millions of working women set to benefit from landmark workplace health drive

Leading women’s health campaigner and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the Government’s Women's Employment Ambassador, a newly created role to support working women across the country.   Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the new Women’s Employment Ambassador to champion women’s health in the workplace. Appointment comes as businesses encouraged to publish voluntary action plans to better support employees experiencing menopause symptoms. Together these measures will work to address the near record … Continue reading Millions of working women set to benefit from landmark workplace health drive →

Employers required to keep holiday records

Holiday pay clampdown is on its way with new employer recording obligations and Holiday Pay compliance being introduced alongside the Fair Work Agency enforcement duties. Holiday entitlement and pay rights All employees and workers across the United Kingdom have rights to holiday entitlements and pay. Statistical analysis has shown that in excess of 1.8 million … Continue reading Employers required to keep holiday records →

Landmark gender pay gap and menopause action plan launched to help women thrive at work

Action plans supporting women to succeed at work launched by Minister for Women and Equalities ahead of International Women’s Day 2026. Action plans supporting women to succeed at work launched by Minister for Women and Equalities ahead of International Women’s Day 2026 Employer guidance published today Wednesday 4th March 2026 showing government and businesses working collaboratively … Continue reading Landmark gender pay gap and menopause action plan launched to help women thrive at work →

Unpaid Parental Leave – April 2026 a day one right

From 6th April 2026, employees will be eligible for unpaid parental leave from their first day of employment. Unpaid parental leave Eligible employees can take unpaid parental leave to look after their child’s welfare, for example to: spend more time with their children look at new schools settle children into new childcare arrangements spend more … Continue reading Unpaid Parental Leave – April 2026 a day one right →

Paternity Leave and Unpaid Paternity Leave from April 2026

From 6th April 2026, employees will be eligible to give notice to take Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from their first day of employment. This change supports working parents and is claimed to help businesses attract and retain talent. What are the changes?: Employees can give notice of Paternity Leave from day one of … Continue reading Paternity Leave and Unpaid Paternity Leave from April 2026 →

New Employment Rights – February and April 2026

From 18th February 2026, upgraded employment rights will begin to take effect. These changes will be introduced gradually between 2026 and 2027, giving employers time to prepare and ensuring workers have clear information about their new rights. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have created resources for employees and employers on these changes (click … Continue reading New Employment Rights – February and April 2026 →

Implementation of the Employment Rights Act

HMRC as part of the February edition of the Employer Bulletin is reminding employers to get ready for the changes introduced as part of the Employment Rights Act. The Employment Rights Bill became law on 18th December 2025 and is now the Employment Rights Act 2025. Employers should start getting ready now for changes that … Continue reading Implementation of the Employment Rights Act →

Pension scheme reforms to tackle gender pension gap

Millions of working women will be better off with new measures being introduced to tackle historic gender pension gap. Millions of women working in local government will see their pensions improve under new reforms coming into force in April, as the government takes action to close the gender pension gap. These steps are to directly benefit working … Continue reading Pension scheme reforms to tackle gender pension gap →

Number of new and expectant parents losing their job or facing unfair treatment at work “alarmingly high”

NEW TUC POLLING: 1 in 7 women (14%) have lost their job - or felt forced to leave their job - due to expecting a child or becoming a parent.  Over one in five women (21%) who have or are expecting a child also report unfair treatment at work.  More than 1 in 10 new fathers (14%) also report experiencing unfair treatment at work.    The … Continue reading Number of new and expectant parents losing their job or facing unfair treatment at work “alarmingly high” →

Stronger working rights to give millions of families the “security they deserve”

New day one rights to parental leave set to enter force from April 2026. Over 18 million workers across the UK are expected to benefit from stronger protections at work, with most insecure workers set to gain the most.    New day one rights from April 2026 confirmed for parental leave, whilst bereaved partners set to gain further rights to paternity leave.  Changes are claimed … Continue reading Stronger working rights to give millions of families the “security they deserve” →

Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent

Over 15 million people across the UK are expected to benefit as New laws bring the world of work into the 21st century Over  15 million people across the UK are to benefit from new worker protections, including those on the lowest pay and in the most insecure jobs.   New rights confirmed including day one paternity leave and parental leave, statutory sick pay, protections for pregnant workers, increased protection from unfair … Continue reading Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent →

Bereavement and pregnancy protections to be shaped by businesses and workers

Consultations launched on key Make Work Pay measures including protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work, bereavement leave and trade union reforms The public are invited to share views on reforms including dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work, and bereavement leave. Business and workers are to shape trade union … Continue reading Bereavement and pregnancy protections to be shaped by businesses and workers →

Bridget Phillipson speech to TUC conference, 2025

Speech delivered by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Brighton, 2025 Thank you, Congress, for that warm welcome. What a joy it is to be back here in Brighton. And back here with the TUC. Thank you to Mark, and to Paul, and to the whole team, and thank … Continue reading Bridget Phillipson speech to TUC conference, 2025 →

Bereavement leave for families who face pregnancy loss

New amendment to the Employment Rights Bill.. will expand rights to bereavement leave to those who experience pregnancy loss The Government claims it is delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. For too long, the UK has lagged behind other advanced economies in modernising employment protections. That’s why they claim they are … Continue reading Bereavement leave for families who face pregnancy loss →

Roadmap confirms workers rights for 2026 and 2027

The Government have published the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap, setting out timelines for measures in the Bill coming into effect. Comprehensive roadmap for Employment Rights Bill to raise living standards across the country whilst giving employers and workers the time to adapt.     Sets out timelines for new landmark rights with 15 million, or half … Continue reading Roadmap confirms workers rights for 2026 and 2027 →

Can I change a Salary Sacrifice to a net deduction?

With the significant increases to National Minimum and National Living Wage, a number of questions are being raised by employers on their options with regards to pre-existing salary sacrifice arrangement where the operation of the sacrifice now takes the employees earnings for National Minimum Wage (NMW) below the employees associated hourly NMW rate. For those … Continue reading Can I change a Salary Sacrifice to a net deduction? →

Payroll dates – what affects what?

PAYadvice.UK sees a number of social posts and questions around the effective payroll dates when crossing from the 2024/2025 tax year into the new 2025/2026 tax year. Most recently have related to poor business planning by some employers on the impacts of National Insurance increases relating to work undertaken in March 2025 or earlier which … Continue reading Payroll dates – what affects what? →

Over 100,000 Baby Loss Certificates issued 

More than 100,000 baby loss certificates have now been issued to parents who have lost a pregnancy, allowing them to formally recognise their loss. Thousands more parents have benefited from the scheme since it was extended in October 2024 Over 100,000 certificates have now been issued, helping parents formally recognise the loss of baby during … Continue reading Over 100,000 Baby Loss Certificates issued  →

Isle of Man – Employment rights changes April 2025

Employment law changes from 1st April 2025 From 1st April 2025, a number of changes to employment rights are introduced: A written statement of employment particulars on day one of employment Time off work for partners to attend ante natal appointments Time off work to attend adoption appointments Time off work to care for dependants … Continue reading Isle of Man – Employment rights changes April 2025 →

Statutory payment small employer compensation increase to 8.5%

HM Revenue and Customs have issued a notification to software developers on Tuesday 28th January 2025 of an increase compensation payment for statutory payments. Apparently HM Treasury had recently consulted on an area of Statutory Payment policy which will impact payroll software. Who they consulted with is not clear and any consideration of developer needs … Continue reading Statutory payment small employer compensation increase to 8.5% →

How much pay for KIT and SPLIT?

Statutory Parental Pay In the UK there are a number of statutory parental leave rights which include some form of pay: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) - up to 39 weeks with 6 weeks of higher entitlement Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP - similar to SMP Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) - generally the sharing of any stopped … Continue reading How much pay for KIT and SPLIT? →

Statutory Payment Rates 2025 increased by 1.7%

The UK Government announced the increase basis for Statutory Payment rates along with other benefits and have released the proposed rates operational from April 2025. On Wednesday 30th October 2024 the following was announced: I have concluded my statutory annual review of state pension and benefit rates under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The … Continue reading Statutory Payment Rates 2025 increased by 1.7% →

Women’s pay and equality

Equal Pay Day Wednesday 20th November 2024 was marked as Equal Pay Day, a national campaign led by the Fawcett Society. This day marks the point in the year when, based on the gender pay gap, women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men. Commenting on the Fawcett Society’s Equal Pay Day, … Continue reading Women’s pay and equality →

Check you’re not missing State Pension payments

Thousands of people missing Home Responsibilities Protection on their National Insurance record could boost their State Pension  HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging tens of thousands of people to check if they are eligible to boost their State Pension.   Some parents who claimed Child benefit before 2000 are missing out on State Pension … Continue reading Check you’re not missing State Pension payments →

Labour win – payroll and HR impacts

With the Labour party winning with a significant majority and forming a new UK government, changes to employment and payroll law will be easier than experienced by prior governments. Tax and NICs Whilst there is an aim for stabilising the UK economy, Labour promised to not increase existing PAYE income tax rate or National Insurance. … Continue reading Labour win – payroll and HR impacts →

Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) is on its way – April 2025

The new statutory allowance (SNCP) is planned to be introduced in April 2025; this is for parents who have a child that requires neonatal care in the first 28 days following birth. Payment is made for a maximum of 12 weeks. This statutory payment is expected to follow the same administration process as other statutory … Continue reading Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) is on its way – April 2025 →

Pension rights when on maternity leave

Pension contributions during Statutory Maternity Leave One of the common questions in payroll and employment rights social media groups is around employer duties to employees who are on maternity or adoption leave. There are subtle differences between what are labelled as Defined Contributions to a Money Purchase pension scheme (which include all Group Personal Pension … Continue reading Pension rights when on maternity leave →

Job Reference – what about absence?

The question on social media has been asked on what absence can be shown on a job reference from a former employer? What may be good, as part of the answer, is to cover general principle of what a reference can or cannot be and where it stands with regard to potential areas of discrimination … Continue reading Job Reference – what about absence? →

Millions of workers benefit from new employment law measures

Millions of workers across the UK will now benefit from new measures as three Government-backed Acts become law 6th April 2024. New legislation, including three Government backed cross party Acts, come into force Saturday 6th April 2024 This comes alongside tax cuts of £900 a year for the average worker, an increase to the National … Continue reading Millions of workers benefit from new employment law measures →

DBT publish new guidance on Simplifying holiday entitlement and holiday pay calculations

How holiday pay and entitlement has changed from 1 January 2024. The Department for Business and Trade has published new guidance on Monday 1st January 2024 on the changes to holiday pay. This guidance sets out forthcoming changes to the Working Time Regulations which will affect: irregular hours workers and part-year workers accrual of COVID-19 … Continue reading DBT publish new guidance on Simplifying holiday entitlement and holiday pay calculations →

Statutory Payment Rates 2024 increased by 6.7%

The UK Government have announced the increase basis for Statutory Payment rates along with other benefits and have released the proposed rates operational from April 2024. On Wednesday the 22nd November 2023 the following was announced: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride) I have concluded my statutory annual review of state pension … Continue reading Statutory Payment Rates 2024 increased by 6.7% →

Holiday consultation – the response

The government has responded to the consultation on reforms to retained EU employment law and the consultation on calculating holiday entitlement for irregular hours and part-time (IH&PT) workers. They will legislate to introduce reforms to annual leave and holiday pay calculations in the working time regulations. In brief, the government propose to reform or introduce … Continue reading Holiday consultation – the response →

Wins for parents and carers workers rights

Parents and carers to be given new protections at work, covering leave entitlement and redundancy rules New rights derive from three Government backed cross party bills that have now been granted royal assent This follows a wave of wins for workers this year after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and measures to ensure staff … Continue reading Wins for parents and carers workers rights →

Pay rises and the impacts on Maternity – the curse of Alabaster

Pay increases to meet the cost of living crisis and the rise in National set Minimum pay. With current level of high inflation, home energy costs and other impacts on the cost of living, wage inflation is also on the rise. The National set minimum pay amounts have increased significantly and with strike action becoming … Continue reading Pay rises and the impacts on Maternity – the curse of Alabaster →

£1.97 million awarded to support women in the workplace

Sixteen organisations across England will receive share of £1.97 million from the government to support women experiencing reproductive health issues in the workplace. Funding follows successful applications to this year’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Fund Money will help women to remain in or return to the workplace through and following pregnancy, … Continue reading £1.97 million awarded to support women in the workplace →

Statutory Parental Payment increased by 10.1% from April 2023 to £172.48

Following the governments Autumn Statement on 17th November 2022 and indication that benefits would rise by 10.1%, it has been confirmed that the standard rate for: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) And Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) will increase from the current £156.66 to … Continue reading Statutory Parental Payment increased by 10.1% from April 2023 to £172.48 →

Reward and Payroll Summit 2022 – part 1

Thursday 17th November 2022, and great to be amongst payroll and reward professionals at the Reward & Payroll Summit at the London Hilton Bankside. Jeremy Campbell, CEO Black Isle Group Jeremy Campbell covered the six principle to crush your goals. Ever wondered how Olympians win gold medals? Jeremy Campbell, CEO of Black Isle Group, explains … Continue reading Reward and Payroll Summit 2022 – part 1 →

Government backs new law to help pregnant women and new parents stay in work

New government-backed law to offer pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy new government-backed law to offer pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy new legal powers will help to counter workplace discrimination, particularly when new parents return to work Pregnant women and new parents will receive greater protections from redundancy … Continue reading Government backs new law to help pregnant women and new parents stay in work →

Protecting the health & safety of pregnant workers

The TUC has issued a new toolkit designed to help union reps ensure that the health and safety of members who are pregnant is protected from the moment the rep becomes aware that a member is pregnant, to their return to work and beyond. It is mainly targeted at health and safety reps but will … Continue reading Protecting the health & safety of pregnant workers →

Public buildings to have separate male and female toilets

All new public buildings should have separate male and female toilets, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced on 4th July 2022. The approach will mean women, who may need to use facilities more often for example because of pregnancy and sanitary needs, have appropriate facilities. The move follows a call for evidence which gathered … Continue reading Public buildings to have separate male and female toilets →

UK’s commitment to the rights of women and girls

Statement by Baroness Deborah Stedman-Scott, Minister for Women at the 66th UN Commission on the Status of Women. Madam Chair, I want to begin my statement by addressing the situation in Ukraine. Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK and our international partners stand united in … Continue reading UK’s commitment to the rights of women and girls →

Pay transparency pilot to break down barriers for women

Minister for Women, Baroness Stedman-Scott, launches initiatives to level up employment opportunities for womenParticipating employers will run pilots aimed at closing salary gaps by publishing salaries on all job advertsNew ‘returners’ programme to support women into STEM roles after taking time out to care for loved ones Minister for Women, Baroness Stedman-Scott, has launched two … Continue reading Pay transparency pilot to break down barriers for women →

National Minimum Wage increase impact on Historic Statutory Maternity Pay

The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates increase for pay periods commencing 1st April 2022. HMRC, as part of the February 2022 Employer Bulletin are reminding employers of the obligations for any pay rise that falls into the maternity leave period (from the start of the earnings averaging period and through to the … Continue reading National Minimum Wage increase impact on Historic Statutory Maternity Pay →

April 2022 Statutory payments changes confirmed

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Software Developers Support Team (SDST) have issued the confirmed statutory payment rates applicable from April 2022. PAYadvice.UK Legislation Update 2022 v22.4 and subsequent version contain with the confirmed rates. For statutory parental payments for weeks starting from 3rd April 2022: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)Statutory Adopt Pay (SAP)Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)Shared … Continue reading April 2022 Statutory payments changes confirmed →

Those pregnant urged to be vaccinated

Data is showing that 17% of the most critically ill COVID-19 patients are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated. Professor Christ Whitty states: ‘COVID-19 is dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. The medical advice is clear: it is much safer to be vaccinated against COVID than get COVID if you are pregnant or … Continue reading Those pregnant urged to be vaccinated →

Childcare cost help as children head back to school

Families may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs as children go back to school. Eligible families can save money on their childcare and benefit from a government top-up worth up to £2,000 every year, or up to £4,000 a year if a child is disabled. In June … Continue reading Childcare cost help as children head back to school →

New online tool to help working families make the most of shared parental leave

New online tool will make it easier for expectant parents to access and understand Shared Parental Leave and Payworking families can check their eligibility for the scheme in 5 minutes, check what pay they’d be entitled to, and notify their employer using the toolscheme supports mums aiming to return to work and dads and partners … Continue reading New online tool to help working families make the most of shared parental leave →

Statutory Payment Rates effective 4th April 2021 confirmed – SMP, SAP, SPP, ShPP & SPBP

The HMRC Software Developers Support Team (SDSTeam) have confirmed the Statutory Payment Rates which commences for weeks commencing from Sunday 4th April 2021. The weekly average earnings threshold remains as £120. He standard weekly rate rises to £151.97. SP rates 2021-22Download Part of Preparations for tax year 2021/2022 PAYadvice.UK 22/12/2020 updated 28/12/2020

Employee Parental leave rights

What do you do when you need time to support children. Could you loose your job or be passed over for promotion. Laws are in place to protect qualifying employees when they need to take care of parental responsibilities. Eligible employees can take unpaid parental leave to look after their child’s welfare. Find out if … Continue reading Employee Parental leave rights →

2 in 5 working mums face childcare crisis – #COVID19

Around 2 in 5 (41%) working mums with children under 10 can’t get – or are unsure whether they will get – enough childcare to cover the hours they need for work this September, according to a new TUC poll As children around England begin to return to school, an ICM survey for the TUC reveals that many mums are missing … Continue reading 2 in 5 working mums face childcare crisis – #COVID19 →

Marriage Allowance

S&C by PSP (c)2019 It is thought that millions of qualifying couples are missing out and have not applied for their marriage tax allowance. If one of the couple have reduced income due to family commitments or for other reasons, then this allowance may benefit you. Please note that you can apply for the marriage … Continue reading Marriage Allowance →

Pregnant and being made redundant! #COVID19 #coronavirus

E by ZJ (c)2019 Question We have an employee who is being made redundant, her qualifying week falls before her end date of employment. ·       Do I issue P45 before we process SMP? ·       If she is on payroll is she entitled to employment rights does this affect her continuous employment? · Or do we process SMP … Continue reading Pregnant and being made redundant! #COVID19 #coronavirus →