New Employee Rights To Neonatal Care Leave and Pay

The Government has this week put before parliament regulations to introduce the new right for working families with babies in neonatal care to take additional time off work. Subject to parliamentary approval this right will come into effect from 6 April 2025.

It will mean that parents of babies, up to 28 days old, who are admitted to neonatal care and have a continuous hospital stay of 7 full days or longer will be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of leave. This is in addition to any other leave entitlements including maternity and paternity leave.

Employees will be entitled to neonatal care leave from day 1 of employment. Statutory Neonatal Pay will also be available to employees who meet continuous employment eligibility criteria and minimum earnings thresholds.

It is expected that around 60,000 new parents will benefit from the leave.

This is one of several employment rights which the Government has implemented since the election.

If you would like any more information or guidance on this or any of the other new employment rights, please contact us.