Around a fifth (21%) of HR directors are not ready to meet the requirements of shared parental leave legislation, according to research by business outsourcing provider ADP.
Its report, The workforce view 2014/15, which surveyed more than 2,500 working adults in the UK, also found that almost three-quarters (70%) of HR directors predict little or no interest in shared parental leave from employees in the first 12 months.
However, a third (33%) of 16 to 34-year-old workers anticipate taking advantage of the new right within the next five years.
The research also found that 11% of respondents have not heard of the right.
The new rules around shared parental leave, which will come into force on 1 December, will enable eligible mothers, fathers, partners and adopters to choose how to share time off work after their child is born or placed. It will be an option for parents with a child due to be born on or after 5 April 2015.
Annabel Jones, HR director at ADP UK, said: “The introduction of shared parental leave represents a step change for working parents.
“Our findings show that many employees are keenly anticipating the changes and the potential benefits they will bring, but some HR directors may have underestimated the impact.
”In these cases, it’s time to start swotting up on the new rules, to ensure [they] are ready to answer any upcoming employee questions.”
