Current rights include enhanced maternity leave, paternity leave, unpaid parental leave, the right to request flexible working and the right to time off work to deal with certain unexpected or sudden emergencies. These rights also increase unfair dismissal and anti-detriment protection.

Are you confident you know what a member of your workforce is entitled to? If you have existing family friendly policies in place, are you certain that they provide benefits no less than an employee's statutory entitlement? Did you know that it is possible to come to a workforce agreement in respect of certain of the statutory rights which may ease the more severe aspects of their application?

Make sure that you are both aware of your statutory entitlement and any enhanced family friendly policies which your employer might offer. Often however, the time limits which need to be complied with are strict and employees can miss the boat – we can ensure that you do not fall foul of them.