Legislation extends redundancy protection for female employees and new parents

The new legislation provides greater protection to women that are on maternity leave or an employee who is on adoption or shared parental leave in a redundancy situation. In other words, before making a woman who is on maternity leave (or an employee on adoption or shared parental leave) redundant, an employer must offer a suitable alternative vacancy to them, where one is available. The Act extends protection to: n A pregnant employee who is in ‘a protected period of pregnancy’; n An employee who has recently suffered a miscarriage; n An employee returning from maternity leave; n An employee returning from adoption leave; n An employee returning from shared parental leave.

Employers are not required to take any immediate actions at the moment as the guidance regarding the implementation of the Act is still awaited. The guidance will provide further regulations and explain how the new legislation will work.

In the meantime, employers should be aware of the new Act but wait for the regulations before implementing the Act. However, employers should consider the implications and update their policies to ensure they are compliant with the legislation and minimise the risk of potential discrimination claims on the grounds of pregnancy and/or maternity.

The passion, knowledge and goodwill of those working in the rural sector can help the country tackle climate change, said the new chairman of the Country Land and Business Association’s Buckinghamshire branch.

Charlie van Exter has replaced Robert RuckKeene in one of the most important rural roles in the county, representing farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

Mr van Exter (inset) said navigating the planning system will remain a challenge for many rural businesses, while natural capital and the role estates can play in tackling climate change will become even more central to the industry.

“The CLA is a great platform through which the rural economy can showcase the diverse and significant value it adds to the wider economy and society as a whole,” he added. “The rural economy brings together a phenomenally diverse group of subject matter experts whose passion, knowledge and goodwill should be leveraged by the wider economy as it looks to tackle climate change and reach net zero.”

Mr van Exter said farmers and rural businesses are facing ‘exciting but somewhat daunting times’ post-Brexit, as the UK transitions away from EU funding towards its own support schemes.

He manages his family’s farm near Wendover and is a director and executive search consultant at Tarver Melrose, helping estates and the rural economy to appoint senior business leaders.

Sara Marshall

n For more information or for a conversation if you are considering introducing a parental leave policy or updating your redundancy procedures in your organisation, contact Sara Marshall at sara.marshall@franklins-sols.co.uk

Employers will be required to implement processes to identify the timeframe of earlier periods of maternity leave in redundancy situations, adopt systems to identify alternative suitable vacancies across the organisation and creating a supportive environment for employees returning from family leave.