ALTRINCHAM-based law firm Myerson is reminding businesses to update their employment policies and staff handbooks to meet the changes to parental leave that came into force at the end of last year.

Shared parental leave is a new legal right that allows couples to share maternity or adoption leave and pay.

Couples currently expecting a child will be among the first people eligible to take advantage of the new rights which apply to babies due from April 5.

Under the current system women are able to take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave and to receive 39 weeks of pay, but from next month working families will have the opportunity to share this leave between

both parents.

Leave can be taken in several blocks and eligible parents must be permitted to take up to three blocks of leave in the first year after the child’s birth, returning to work between periods of leave if they wish.

Parents who adopt a child will have the same rights.

Joanne Evans, partner and head of employment law at Myerson, said: “Businesses need to be aware of their new legal responsibilities under shared parental leave. Failure to allow either parent the time off they are permitted under law could land them in legal hot water.

“Preparing now by establishing robust procedures for parental leave is the best way to ensure that you remain on the right side of the law. This could include setting out the process for notifying you as an employer and the booking of leave, to ensure the needs of both the business and employee are fairly

met.”