More time off plan for new parents

Saturday 19th September 2009, 2:57PM BST.

Deputy Ian Gorst.

NEW parents could be entitled to time off from work for the first time next year, but Jersey’s leave entitlements would still lag way behind those in the UK.

The proposals would eventually give new mothers between two and eight weeks of maternity leave, and fathers up to a fortnight off.

Social Security Minister Ian Gorst is due to consider proposals from the Employment Tribunal to introduce maternity and paternity leave, and will give a decision before the end of the year.

He says he is supportive of the idea, which splits the burden between employers and the States.
But the proposals before him fall well short of the nine months of paid leave that parents can share in the UK.

• See Saturday’s JEP for full story.

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