Maternity & Parenting Toolkit

1. Maternity & Parenting Toolkit Kara McGann October 22 2013

2. Ibec • The organisation is owned……run by……and run for Ireland’s businesses • Almost 7500 member organisations representing over 70% of private sector employment • All sectors of economic, commercial and non-commercial activity • 60 sector federations and associations • All sizes of organisations • Offices in Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Brussels

3. Purpose of toolkit • Address labour market participation of women which can reduce around pregnancy and maternity leave • Difficulties juggling family and work commitments • Problems reintegrating back in to the workplace • Increase awareness of the issues that women face • Tackle any issues around pregnancy related discrimination • Ensure a supportive environment • Lessen the difficulties encountered by employee and employer alike • Transitionary time for expectant mother • Gives 6-7 months to prepare for a short-term absence

4. Background work • Senior advisory group • Crisis Pregnancy Agency • Best practice organisations • Focus groups of small, medium and large public and private employers • Development and pilot testing

5. Challenges • Managers first response to pregnant employee • Cover of position during maternity leave • Confidence of women returners • Challenges facing new dads • Unconscious bias

6. Maternity & Parenting toolkit

7. Elements of the toolkit • Sample maternity leave, adoptive leave and dignity at work policies • Checklist for line managers • Ensure that you are aware of the employer’s legal obligations under the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 to 2004 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008 • You should complete a health & safety risk assessment for this employee and review as necessary • Ensure the annual performance review has been carried out if the employee is going to be absent during the review period • Discuss what sort of contact the employee would like to have with you while she is on maternity leave. Plan a number of calls (2/3) during her leave to keep her up-to-date with what is happening in the organisations and to discuss her role when she returns

8. Elements of the toolkit • Checklist for expectant mothers and new mothers • Summary of relevant policies e.g. maternity and parental leave, breastfeeding upon return to work • Information on pay • Suggestions around communication, buddy systems, health insurance, leave, • Useful websites and contacts e.g. maternity shops, childcare facilities locally, mum to be websites • Checklist for expectant and new dads • Information on parental leave, Paternity leave, Flexible working arrangements • New dad’s workshop

9. Elements of the toolkit • Line manager workshop • Practical ideas regarding support of your employee before, during and after maternity leave • Understand the challenges faced by new parents in the workplace • Understand the challenges faced by employers during maternity and return to work • Obligations under the various Acts • Information about supports to assist managers in providing a positive, professional experience for all concerned • Return to work workshop • Common concerns experienced by new mothers returning to work after maternity or adoptive leave • Managing your multiple roles at work • Develop an action plan for re-integration into work • Provide practice tips and information about support and resources available to you

10. Conclusion • Significant uptake nationally and internationally • Clarity of messages around pregnancy, maternity, paternity and return from maternity leave • Addresses equality, business, individual and organisational aspects of the issue • Templates that are user friendly • Suitable for all types of organisation “Funded by the Equality Mainstreaming Unit which is jointly funded by the European Social Fund 2007-2013 and by the Equality Authority” Investing in your future