NI Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey has reminded employers that from 5 October working parents on maternity or adoption leave will benefit from changes in employment law.

Discussing the changes in legislation, the Minister said: "Employed women whose expected week of childbirth falls on or after 5 October 2008, or employees expecting a child to be placed with them for adoption on or after that date, will now be able to benefit from their normal terms and conditions of employment, apart from pay, throughout the full 52 week period of their maternity or adoption leave.

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"Previously, entitlement to their normal terms and conditions only existed for mothers and adopters during the first 26 weeks of leave, with more limited terms and conditions during the second 26 weeks."

Sir Reg continued: "These changes will require companies to review internal polices to ensure that all normal terms and conditions continue for the full period of leave.

"If company policies currently make a distinction between the non-pay benefits available during first 26 weeks and second 26 weeks of leave, for example accrual of contractual annual leave, this distinction will need to be removed before the legislation comes into force."

Revised guidance on maternity leave and adoption leave can be found in the department’s booklets 'Maternity Rights: A guide for employers and employees' (ER16) and 'Adoptive Parents: A guide for employers and employees' (ER35) which are available for download from www.delni.gov.uk/erbooklets

(PR/NS)