WEC to hear evidence on paternity and shared parental leave
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hear from HR professionals, a best practice employer, and trade unions on the priorities for reform of paternity and shared parental leave during the second evidence session of its inquiry, in Parliament on Tuesday, 25 March.
Meeting details
MPs on the cross-party committee chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen will discuss a range of issues relating to reform of paternity and shared parental leave, including statutory and employer-enhanced pay; leave available to fathers and other non-birthing parents; potential improvements to the shared parental leave scheme to drive take up; and extending access to paid parental leave to excluded groups. Aviva will provide insights into the costs and benefits of its long-established gender equal parental leave and pay scheme.
WEC is undertaking an inquiry into paternity and shared parental leave as part of its wider work on equality at work ahead of the Government's planned "full review" of the parental leave system. Unequal division of childcaring responsibilities is a key driver of wider gender inequality and the gender pay gap.
*Please note that this evidence session was disrupted due to multiple votes within the House of Commons Chamber and will be continued on 1 April.