Updates to family friendly policies at LJMU

New family-friendly legislation has now come into force in the UK

The legislation updates mean there will be changes to LJMU’s flexible working, carer’s leave, maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies for staff, to reflect these changes.  

Highlights of the family friendly legislation change:

Flexible Working 

From 6 April 2024, the right to request flexible working for staff will be from their first day of service. Staff will now also be able to: 

• make two flexible working applications every 12 months. 

• there will no longer be the need for staff to explain what effect they think their flexible working request will have on the employer. 

You can view the updated flexible working policy on our policy centre. 

Carer’s Leave  

The update now enables staff with long-term caring responsibilities to be able to take five additional days of unpaid leave every year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. Staff must give notice, which does not need to be in writing. This right will also be granted from day one of employment. 

Please see updated information on our policy centre across all our family friendly policies relating to this including maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and exceptional leave guidance. 

Currently, staff taking a period of maternity leave, adoption leave or shared parental leave have the right to be offered any suitable alternative employment during a redundancy situation, in priority to others at risk of redundancy (where one is available). 

As a result of the regulations, this protection is extended to apply during pregnancy, and for a period of 18 months after the birth or placement for adoption for those taking maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.  

For protection to apply after shared parental leave, there is a minimum threshold of six weeks’ continuous leave. 

Got a question about the family friendly legislation and what it means for you? 

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact our parent carer advocate Lucy Leeder, or your HR Business Partner. 

All LJMU policies can be viewed by staff in our policy centre.