Government issues advice to help support working parents with premature babies

New advice for employers to help them support staff who have premature or sick babies has been released by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) and the Government.

The advice contains guidelines for companies to follow in order to handle their employees' needs with care and sensitivity. This includes asking parents whether or not they wish to be contacted while they are away from work and whether they would like their colleagues to know about their situation.

In addition, Acas advises employers to make mothers and fathers aware of their statutory entitlements around leave and pay such as paternity and shared parental leave. Employers should also take into consideration a parent's need for flexibility around their working hours while their baby is in hospital as well as be understanding about their need to take time off to attend follow-up hospital appointments.

To see Acas' full advice to employers, visit www.acas.org.uk/prematurebabies