By Business CNCT
Following recent Parent Strikes in Glasgow, Edinburgh and other cities around the UK, Holmes Mackillop Solicitors is urging employers to heed the warning that enhanced paternity leave and pay is a high-priority benefit for many in the job market.
Parent Strike protestor demands include enhanced and extended financially supported leave for dads and the other parent who are currently only entitled to two weeks paternity leave paid at no more than £194.32 a week.
The protestors seek recognition and support from the Government for both new parents to take paid time off work to look after their chid with the current two weeks paternity leave being extended to six weeks with 90% salary paid during that period to bring it into line with the initial six weeks of maternity leave.
Karen Condie, director at Holmes Mackillop, said that surveys have found a disappointing uptake in the existing two weeks paternity leave no doubt because of the resulting wage loss that many families cannot afford.
“Employers have been left to step in and many do with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay policies, but this is passing another financial burden to businesses who find what they offer is often compared to public sector enhanced leave schemes that they just can’t afford to match,” she said.
“Unless and until the Government steps up, employers should heed the warning that enhanced paternity leave and pay is a high-priority benefit for many in the job market.
“Being able to offer a well-balanced scheme that attracts and retains staff while being affordable makes business sense.”
