Tommy's welcomes new parents' right to neonatal care leave

Thousands of parents whose newborn babies need inpatient hospital care will have a new legal right to time off work, the Government has announced.


Thousands of parents whose newborn babies need inpatient hospital care will have a new legal right to time off work, the Government has announced.

Neonatal care leave will be available for people whose babies are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and stay continuously in hospital for 7 full days or longer.

Anyone eligible will be able to take up to 12 weeks of leave, on top of any other leave they are entitled to (including maternity and paternity leave). The right to neonatal care leave will apply from day one in a new job.

Parents will also receive neonatal care pay if they have been in their job for at least 26 weeks before they request neonatal care leave, and they earn at least £123 a week, on average. Both requirements are the same as those needed to qualify for statutory maternity pay.

The Government estimates that around 60,000 new parents will be affected by the new rules, which will come into effect on 6 April this year.

Jo Barclay Bowen, Deputy Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Tommy’s, said: 

“This is a huge step forward in recognising the impact on families when a baby is admitted to neonatal care.

“Parents should never be forced to choose between keeping their job and spending time with their newborn child in hospital.

“A legal entitlement to time off in these circumstances means no employee will face uncertainty about their rights or their company’s policy.

“We’ll continue campaigning at Tommy’s for similarly consistent rights around leave after pregnancy loss, and working with companies through our Pregnancy and Parenting at Work programme to embed compassionate, clear policies and practical support for all those affected.”