Family-friendly rights and support
In May 2026, Turkey doubled the length of paternity leave from five to 10 days. In France, for children born on or after 1 January 2026, each parent (including mothers) is entitled to two months of supplementary birth leave, available from 1 July 2026.
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In Turkey, maternity leave was extended from 16 to 24 weeks from 1 May 2026. In France, for children born on or after 1 January 2026, each parent (including mothers) is entitled to two months of supplementary birth leave, available from 1 July 2026.
Paternity leave becomes a day-one right for employees under the Employment Rights Act 2025, effective from 6 April 2026. Use this training to help ensure line managers are aware of this change.
Ordinary parental leave becomes a day-one right for employees under the Employment Rights Act 2025, effective from 6 April 2026. Use this training to help ensure line managers are aware of this change.
Statutory paternity leave is a day-one right from 6 April 2026, but the service requirement remains in place for statutory paternity pay. Employers should make sure their practices reflect this and managers are aware of the change.
From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the three-day waiting period for eligibility for SSP. Employers no longer need to consider whether waiting days apply where the employee has intermittent pregnancy-related absence.
The statutory maternity pay rate increased on 5 April 2026. The example calculations in this guide have been updated with the new rate.
The statutory adoption pay rate increased on 5 April 2026. The examples in this guide on payment for keeping-in-touch days have been updated with the new rate.
The statutory maternity pay rate increased on 5 April 2026. The examples in this guide on payment for keeping-in-touch days have been updated with the new rate.
HR and legal information and guidance relating to family-friendly rights and support.