New employment rights to be introduced from April

Changes to antenatal and adoption appointments forthcoming

New employment rights – allowing people to take time off work for family appointments and emergencies - will be introduced in April.

The changes are being made as part of the Employment (Amendment) Bill with government saying they’re based on feedback from public consultations held in 2022.

Partners of pregnant women will be allowed time to attend two antenatal appointments each lasting up to 6.5 hours.

The right is to time off without pay although employers may opt to pay the employee.

For single people going through the adoption process they’ll be entitled to paid time off for five appointments.

For joint applicants one person can take paid time off for five appointments; the other can take unpaid time off for two appointments.

People will also be able to take time off work ‘for a reasonable amount of time’ to care for their dependants in emergency situations although there is no right to pay.

In addition new employees will be entitled to a written statement of their employment particulars on day one of their new job rather than within four weeks.

Further amendments to employment legislation – including the introduction of shared parental leave, parental bereavement leave, and miscarriage leave – are expected to come in later this year.

You can find out more HERE.