The new right, which is eligible for babies born after 6 April 2025, could benefit up to 60,000 new parents in the UK annually, including many Usdaw members.
What is the new right?
Parents whose baby arrives early and then has to spend time in neonatal care will have a new right to time off work.
If eligible, parents are entitled to take up to a maximum of 12 weeks of leavel, and pay, in addition to their maternity or paternity leave.
Who does it apply to?
The legislation will apply to babies who are admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of their birth for a continuous stay of seven days or longer.
Parents who have shared or sole responsibility for a child are eligible. This includes if they are:
- the mother or birth parent
- the father
- married to, the civil partner of or partner of the mother or birth parent – this includes same-sex partners
- adopting a child, including fostering to adopt
- intended parents in a surrogacy
Each eligible parent will be entitled to a separate amount of leave. This includes parents who work for the same employer.
This is additional to other types of parental leave and pay.
Is this a day-one right?
The right to neonatal leave will be a day-one right, meaning employees are entitled to the leave from the first day of their employment with a new employer.
Will it be paid?
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to employees who meet the relevant continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.
You will receive the statutory flat rate of pay, which is currently £187.18 per week from 6 April 2025, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
If I take this leave, will I be protected?
Employees who take neonatal leave will be entitled to the same employment rights and protections as those taking other forms of family-related leave. This includes protection from any detriment or discrimination for taking, or seeking to take, neonatal leave.
Don’t forget that help and advice is always available. Maternity and parental rights can be complex and confusing so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to. You can contact your Area Organiser, email the Equalities Section at Head Office or call them on 0161 224 2804.
For more information about Usdaw, or to join, contact your Union Rep, call us on 0800 030 80 30 or visit our page and join us online today!
