Just 9,200 new parents took up shared leave in 2018 out of more than 900,000 who were eligible. The main factors cited for lack of take-up are finances and worries over fathers' careers. SPL is an important tool for tackling the gender pay gap which we know is partly down to the motherhood penalty women face after having/adopting their first child and taking maternity leave. Email address. What’s in it for me; Top tips for mothers This is a guest article by YESS law with help from Working Families and Maternity Action.. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The event was held to raise money for the Age UK charity and involved participants from an open water swimming club, The sun sets behind the Palace of Westminster, the home of the Houses of Parliament in central London, The finishing touches are put to a 40ft Christmas Tree at Somerset House in London, A swimmer takes to the water at Serpentine Swimming Club after the second national lockdown ends in England. 285,000 couples are eligible to take shared parental leave every year; according to BEIS research around 49% have heard of shared parental leave, but only 8% claim to know a lot about the policy Take up is likely to continue to go up as new parents increasingly know someone that has taken the policy and organisations and families become more aware of the benefits of fathers taking SPL in relation to child development, family bonding and Gender Pay Gap reporting”. (2) The provisions relating to shared parental leave in Part 3 have effect only in relation to children placed for adoption on or after 5th April 2… Just 5% of new fathers and 8% of new mothers have opted to take shared parental leave since it was introduced in April 2015, according to the CIPD. If you need the letters in a different format, or you cannot download them, email digital@acas.org.uk. Maternity and parental rights include maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption leave and pay, and unpaid paternity leave. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? No data is available to show the usage of unpaid Shared Parental Leave, which can be up to 13 weeks. Mairéad Nayager, chief HR officer at Diageo, said: “True gender equality in the working world requires fundamental changes to a broad range of working practices, including a shake-up of the policies and cultural norms around parental leave.”. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. The project involves multiple streams of work to understand and help the UK break down barriers to equal parenting and give all parents the opportunity to be actively involved in caring for their children. Pay and leave must be shared in the first year after the child is born or placed with the family. Conor has spent an extra £5000 to make it extra special due to the covid pandemic, Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter (centre) joining members of all three armed services, in Waterloo Station, London, to support the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal by collecting donations and selling poppies on London Poppy Day, Surfers take to high waves caused by Atlantic swells in Mullaghmore in Co Sligo, A rare giant Japanese spider crab is moved into the sale room during a preview of the forthcoming Evolution Sale at Summers Place Auctions, Billinghurst, West Sussex, A television crew prepare to do a live transmission opposite the Nave Andromeda, an oil tanker berthed at Southampton docks, southwest England. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. Several countries have brought in shared parental leave benefits since Sweden became the first to do so in 1974. She is the Co-director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre and an Associate member of the Centre for Responsible Business. Just 9,200 new parents took up shared leave in 2018 out of more than 900,000 who were eligible, the study found. New parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. “Dads need leave they can take in their own right. Across the UK people fell silent in remembrance of the nation's war dead, as the coronavirus pandemic limits public commemorations, Number 10 special advisor Dominic Cummings waits to be admitted to 10 Downing Street in London, A mural of the president of the United States, Donald Trump which has been painted on the side of Islington Mill arts hub in Salford, Manchester, Chelsea pensioners watch a Remembrance Sunday service from their windows at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, D-Day veteran Jim Healy, 95, from Manchester who is taking part in the Royal British Legion's doorstep silence for Remembrance. Select the statement you most agree with: I do not understand the information. Why take Shared Parental Leave? Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found out individuals claimants for Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) the statutory paid part of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) has increased by 73% between 2015/16 and 2018/2019. Over two million people in the West of Scotland are now living under the country's toughest level of coronavirus restrictions, following the rules coming into place at 18:00 yesterday seeing the closure of non-essential shops must close, as well as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and visitor attractions, The bronze statues of John and Cecil Moores, founders of the Littlewoods company, in Liverpool, with face masks on them as England continues a four week national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, James Stunt arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London to give evidence in the trial of Justinas Ivaskevicius, 34, who is accused of stealing a 16.18-carat fancy yellow diamond from 38-year-old Stunt's substantial Belgravia mews, People gather on the the Comedy Carpet in front of the Blackpool Tower waiting for the funeral cortege of entertainer Bobby Ball to pass on its way to Carleton Crematorium in Blackpool, Shipping companies and retailers have complained of delays in unloading arriving freight, with one ship told it could wait up to 10 days for a berthing slot, Rainbow over Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales, where the new series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! 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Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. This means that if a man takes leave in the early stages he is likely to be providing support to the mother, which is a great, but he is unlikely to be gaining experience as the sole and primary caregiver. Early research by organisation such as My Family Care Ltd and Working Family Ltd indicated that the uptake was indeed just as the government predicted. Birmingham Business School delivers world-class research and teaching that provides the insight, ambition and skills to shape advanced and sustainable business strategies. The data demonstrates that the take up of ShPP has increased to 10,700 in the financial year 2018/19. SPL is a policy aimed at improving gender equality in the workplace by providing parents the opportunity to share caring duties within the first year after birth or adoption. The School’s vision is to promote curiosity and thought leadership for responsible business. It is important that parents have a conversation about caring and SPL. The protest was organised to enable the students to show their anger and disappointment to the University of Edinburgh, after the students felt they were misled after they returned to find the vast majority of their lectures and contacts were all online, The sun rises over the Severn crossing as traffic crosses from England into Wales, where a countrywide firebrake lockdown will begin from 6pm today until 12.01am on 9 November, Ony 1 per cent of new parents used shared, Just 9,200 new parents took up shared leave in 2018 out of more than 900,000 who were eligible, the study found. Only 40% of people surveyed felt their employers encouraged SPL, and 50% of men and 57% of women still feel that taking leave will have a negative effect on a man's career. Dr Sarah Forbes said: “Our research has shown that in the past workplace culture and a lack of knowledge amongst managers and HR personnel has been stifling the growth in uptake of SPL but as organisations and parents become more aware of the policy take up increases. According to statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), published in February 2018, around 285,000 couples every year qualify for shared parental leave, but take-up could be as low as 2%.. Many parents in the United Kingdom are eligible to take SPL, but most still do not take it due to a lack of awareness of the numerous benefits for their family and their child. Drinks-maker Diageo announced this week its 4,500 UK staff would be entitled to 52 weeks of parental leave with the first 26 weeks fully paid. This research follows on from the research conducted by Dr Holly Birkett and Dr Sarah Forbes (Co-Directors of the Equal Parenting Project) at the University of Birmingham in May 2019 which looked to understand how to increase the usage of SPL in the first year after the birth or adoption of their child. These figure excludes companies who did not claim the statutory ShPP back from government. The numbers were generated as part of a Freedom of Information request. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Letter for employers refusing a discontinuous leave booking for Shared Parental Leave. The scheme offers equal parental leave to male and female employees – up to one year in the UK, including six months at full pay. Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344, University of Birmingham research shows take up of Shared Parental Leave is increasing, Language, Cultures, Art History and Music, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, See all schools, departments, research and professional services. It’s not an affordable option for most working families. Research looking at public attitudes about taking shared parental leave, to understand the issues affecting people taking it. Ony 1 per cent of new parents used shared parental leave last year, according to research, prompting calls for an overhaul of the system. The data demonstrates that the take up of ShPP has increased to 10,700 in the financial year 2018/19. Here we provide resources covering maternity and paternity leave, pay and other benefits; adoption leave and pay; parental leave; and family-friendly policies. Many may be surprised that their partner would like them to take more time to care for their child after birth or adoption”. Birmingham B15 2TT The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Just 9,200 new parents took up shared leave in 2018 out of more than 900,000 who were eligible, Wollaton Hall in Nottingham which has been transformed into an enchanted light experience to create Christmas at Wollaton Hall, a unique, socially distanced festive outdoor light installation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson adjusts his face mask as he meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine at University Hospital in Coventry, Amanda McGurk (left) and Cara McCann outside Belfast City Hall after becoming the first couple in Belfast to convert their civil partnership into a marriage. “If ministers are serious about getting men more involved after their child is born, they should give all dads longer, better-paid paternity leave. They were rescued after being found abandoned on the North East coast, Edinburgh University students protest against the false promise of 'hybrid learning' to new and returning students during the Covid-19 pandemic in Edinburgh, Scotland. By driving uptake of SPL, fathers can experience the multiple rewards of being actively involved in caring for their child in the first year and support their partners to return to work should they wish to do so. Many parents are not eligible to take SPL, for example, the self-employed. Dr Twamley's research found that 7.4% of expectant mothers intend to take shared parental leave. Edgbaston Working Families is the UK’s leading work-life balance organisation. The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Dr Holly Birkett is a lecturer at Birmingham Business School. In the UK shared parental leave, or SPL, was introduced in 2015. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Shared parental leave needs overhauling. Around 285,000 couples are eligible every year for shared parental leave, but take-up "could be as low as 2%", the Department for Business said. British soldiers yesterday boarded the tanker and detained seven suspects, the defence ministry said, after the crew were forced to take shelter from stowaways who threatened them, Staff from British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Tynemouth Aquarium release three seal pups at St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. The data disclosed within the Freedom of Information request is based on claiming of ShPP only. The early period of parental leave is also crucial for mum to recover from giving birth. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries. This research is part of a larger study currently being undertaken as part of the Equal Parenting Project at the Birmingham Business School. The figures for the total number of claimants of ShPP does not reflect all those using Shared Parental Leave as it does not include those parents that only used unpaid Shared Parental Leave towards the end of the first year, therefore the figures likely considerably underestimate the actual usage of all SPL. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. How do employees get paid during Shared Parental Leave? Holly’s research focuses on work inclusivity and careers. The figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The aim of SPLASH is to provide employees and employers with access to clear information about Shared Parental Leave and Pay. The website includes: A detailed summary of shared parental leave and pay; Short factsheets on different aspects of leave and pay, eg ‘what’s in it for mothers’, ‘what’s it for dads and partners’, ‘what’s in it for employers’ More can be done by organisations to allay fathers concerns that taking SPL could impact on their career. The law on shared parental leave (SPL), including entitlement to shared parental leave in a birth or adoption situation, continuous and discontinuous periods of leave, shared-parental-leave-in-touch days, and the curtailment of maternity or adoption leave. Shared Parental Leave should be obvious - but for some reason it's still not getting the awareness it deserves. is taking place, Hindu monks set up Diya lamps at the BAPS Neasden Temple, London, on this morning of Diwali, Dominic Cummings, special advisor for Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, A surfer silhouetted against the waves at Tynemouth, near North Shields, People walk past the Tommy statue, officially named 1101, on Terrace Green by the seafront in Seaham, County Durham, on the anniversary of Armistice Day. Please tell us why the information did not help. Dr Holly Birkett says: “The growing number of parents using Shared Parental Leave has been steadily increasing since its introduction due to the flexibility of the policy and the ability for fathers to take leave throughout the 1st year. Dr Katherine Twamley's research on parental leave in the UK is featured alongside the photographs. Published 13 January 2015 From: Fathers taking shared parental leave are entitled to up to £145.18 a week of statutory pay, though some employers offer “enhanced” shared parental pay to help relieve the financial burden. Shared leave is not available for fathers in insecure jobs such as, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Just 1% of new parents take up shared parental leave, report finds, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. Shared leave is not available for fathers in insecure jobs such as zero-hour contracts or agency work. She is a member of the Responsible Marketing group, Work Inclusivity Research Centre and an Associate of the Centre for Responsible Business. Increased uptake of SPL and involvement of fathers in caring in the first year can also have significant positive impacts on child development, child/father bonding, paternal welfare and parental mental health. Some companies offer more generous shared parental leave payments. Aviva says there has … The TUC, which carried out the research, said take-up is still so poor four years after the system was introduced because most fathers cannot afford to live off the £145 per week payment. The amount available will depend on how much the mother/primary adopter reduces their maternity/adoption pay period or maternity allowance period. HMRC revealed that less than 1% of those eligible had made use of it in 2016. Employees retain all of their benefits and bonuses regardless of gender, sexual orientation or whether they become parents biologically, via surrogacy or adoption. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. For more information or interviews, please contact: Hasan Salim Patel, Communications Manager (Arts, Law and Social Sciences) on +44 (0) 121 415 8134 or contact the press office out of hours on +44 (0) 7789 921 165. Andy took 8 weeks shared parental leave combined with 2 weeks paternity leave and 2 weeks annual leave – 12 weeks off in total. Number of parents taking shared parental leave ‘remarkably low’ for third year 25 Jun 2018 By Emily Burt Experts are calling on the HR profession to help increase the uptake of shared parental leave (SPL), after official figures today revealed that just … For as up to date statistics as possible: How many parents went on maternity or paternity leave in the UK & Ireland? The Shocking Shared Parental Leave Statistics One Year On 5th April 2016 by Al Ferguson Today marks the anniversary of the Governments latest legislation on paternity leave, called shared parental leave … A strengthened tiered system of restrictions has been introduced, Artic Fox, Flo, investigates a stocking of treats in her enclosure as part of a Christmas enrichment programme at the wildlife conservation charity Wildwood Trust in Herne Bay, Kent, A man carrying a Christmas tree walks past a mural depicting a Saltire design in Leith, Edinburgh on St Andrew's Day, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Leander Dendoncker warms up before the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, London, Police officers wearing a protective face coverings speak with a protester during an anti-lockdown protest against government restrictions designed to control or mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, on Regents Street in London, Protesters from Peta animal rights group demonstrates against fox hunting in Westminster, A billboard displays a Manchester City Council message about the city's Covid alert level, Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital in London, Freight lorries queueing along the M20 in Kent waiting to access the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, A palette of changing colours as the sky lights up before sunrise at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear on the North East coast, Daniil Medvedev poses with trophy after winning the singles final during day eight of the ATP Finals at The O2 Arena, London, Members of the public walk through the city centre on the first day of tier four coronavirus restrictions in Stirling, Scotland. “Without better rights to well-paid leave, many new parents will continue to miss out on spending time with their children, and mums will continue to take on the lion’s share of caring responsibilities. The TUC wants fathers to have their own paternity leave, which would be available to fathers from the first day in a job, including those on zero-hour contracts and in self-employed roles. The union organisation is calling for paternity leave pay to be increased to at least minimum wage levels, a move it said could help half a million dads spend more time with their new babies. 2,138 adults from across the UK were surveyed between 04and 11 December 2014 to examine attitudes towards Shared Parenting and assess potential uptake of Shared Parental Leave entitlement. However, the government had earlier predicted a 2% take up of shared parental leave irrespective of the fact that 285,000 parents were flagged up as eligible for shared parental leave. We help working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. The minimal take-up of shared parental leave in the UK, estimated, in the absence of reliable statistics, at about 2% of 285,000 eligible couples annually, has These Regulations introduce a new entitlement for employees who are mothers, fathers, adopters, or prospective adopters, or the partners of mothers or adopters, or prospective adopters, to take shared parental leave in the first year of their child’s life or in the first year after the child’s placement for adoption. Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found out individuals claimants for Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) the statutory paid part of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) has increased by 73% between 2015/16 and 2018/2019. Shared Parental Leave (SPL) gives more choice in how 2 parents can care for their child. It shouldn’t rely on mums giving up some of their maternity leave.”. From today same-sex couples across Northern Ireland are able to marry through the official conversion of existing civil partnerships following a change in the law, Shoppers on Oxford Street in London on the first weekend following the end of the second national lockdown in England, Swimmers wearing fancy dress take to the water for a charity ‘fancy dress chilly dip’ swim in the sea at Leasowe Bay, northwest England. Shared Parental Leave and Pay help eligible parents to combine work with family life. Sarah’s research focuses on encouraging voluntary behavioural change and survey measurement. The new regulations on Shared Parental Leave apply to couples with babies due or children matched or Parents receive £145.18 a week or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. 2.—(1) The provisions relating to shared parental leave in Part 2 have effect only in relation to children whose expected week of birth begins on or after 5th April 2015. He started this from the day Tom was born and took it alongside Emma's maternity leave, so they were off together for the first 3 months. Eligible parents who are sharing responsibility for a child can get SPL in the first year after: the birth of their child; adopting a child; getting a parental order if they had the child through surrogacy; How much Shared Parental Leave a parent can get Parents can also choose to be off work together or to stagger the leave and pay.