This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-12932418

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Paternity rights confusion for small firms Small firms calling for clarity on exemptions
(about 2 hours later)
A trade body has said that it is "not entirely clear" whether new rules on paternity leave will apply to very small businesses - just days before they come into force. A trade body has called for clarity over the extent of exemptions from new regulations for very small businesses.
Micro-businesses, of fewer than 10 employees, and some start-ups will be exempt from new domestic regulation, it was announced in the Budget.Micro-businesses, of fewer than 10 employees, and some start-ups will be exempt from new domestic regulation, it was announced in the Budget.
However, it is expected the exemption will not apply to new paternity rights. But the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said there was "some confusion" over the plans.
The Federation of Small Businesses has called for clarity from government. The government confirmed the exemption would not include new paternity rights.
"At the moment, there is some confusion as to what regulations are included in the moratorium," a spokeswoman for the Federation said. New rules on paternity leave had already been put in place before the moratorium came in, so small businesses must offer the new rights to their employees.
Burden
There are 4.6 million micro-businesses in the UK, and the government believes they are unfairly burdened with red tape.
So Chancellor George Osborne said that firms with fewer than 10 staff members would be free from new domestic regulation for three years from 1 April.
But the FSB said firms were still unaware of exactly how this would affect them.
"At the moment, there is some confusion as to what regulations are included in the moratorium," a spokeswoman said.
"There needs to be clarification as soon as possible so micro-firms know where they stand.""There needs to be clarification as soon as possible so micro-firms know where they stand."
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said an explanation on the details of which legislation was covered was imminent.A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said an explanation on the details of which legislation was covered was imminent.
Sharing childcare Childcare
There are 4.6 million micro-businesses in the UK, and the government believes they are unfairly burdened with red tape. The new paternity leave rules mean that parents will be legally entitled to share the childcare during their baby's first year, and could take six months off work each.
So Chancellor George Osborne said that small firms with fewer than 10 staff members would be free from new domestic regulation for three years from 1 April.
But new rules on paternity leave had already been put in place before the moratorium came in, so are unlikely to be covered.
The new rules mean that parents will be legally entitled to share the childcare during their baby's first year, and could take six months off work each.
If a man's partner is due to give birth on or after 3 April, he will gain the right to additional paternity leave and pay. The rules also cover adoption.If a man's partner is due to give birth on or after 3 April, he will gain the right to additional paternity leave and pay. The rules also cover adoption.
Additional paternity leave (APL) will allow an employee to take up to 26 weeks' leave to care for the child, on top of two weeks of ordinary paternity leave.Additional paternity leave (APL) will allow an employee to take up to 26 weeks' leave to care for the child, on top of two weeks of ordinary paternity leave.
This can only be taken 20 or more weeks after the child's birth or placement for adoption and once the mother has returned to work from statutory maternity or adoption leave or ended their entitlement. This can only be taken 20 or more weeks after the child's birth or placement for adoption, and once the mother has returned to work from statutory maternity or adoption leave or ended her entitlement.
The rate is £128.73 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings.The rate is £128.73 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings.
To qualify, the father must have been on a continuous contract with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.To qualify, the father must have been on a continuous contract with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.