A new system of flexible parental leave was this week announced by the Government and it is felt that this will put a new undue burden on businesses.

Under the proposed reforms, both mother and father could take up to five months off work together. From April 2011, father's will be able to take up to six months of a mothers unused maternity leave when she goes back to work.

After baby's birth the mother would be guaranteed the first six weeks off at 90 per cent pay but the remaining parental leave could be shared between the parents.

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce commented: 

“While Nick Clegg’s announcement on shared parental leave may prove politically popular, it fundamentally ignores the needs of business. Last week, David Cameron claimed a pro-growth, pro-business, pro-jobs agenda, but now the Government expects small businesses to cope with yet more red tape.

“Business is not against the principal of shared parental leave, but how is an employer expected to plan and arrange cover with this fully-flexible system? This is too difficult for small businesses to deal with, and could prevent them from taking on staff at a time when they are expected to create wealth and jobs. The rigid rules Nick Clegg refers to and plans to abolish are the very same rules needed by business to help them plan.

“This is yet another example of rushed thinking. It suggests that the Government is out of touch with how to support business owners. This sort of red tape is like a sledgehammer hitting small businesses which should be sources of growth and jobs.”