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David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has accused the government of ‘rushed thinking’ regarding the reforms to parental leave announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday.

Frost has trenchantly criticised the proposals, which include allowing parents to split leave into short periods rather than take it all in one block, saying they ignore ‘the needs of business’ and go against the ‘pro-growth, pro-business, pro-jobs agenda’ as outlined by David Cameron last week.

He adds, ‘This is too difficult for small businesses to deal with, and could prevent them from taking on staff at a time when they are expected to create wealth and jobs.’

The Department for Business will be launching a consultation soon to explore proposals for an alternative system of parental leave and consider how best to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees. Among the proposed changes is giving a father the right to take more time off work if a woman does not wish to use her entire maternity entitlement.  

The coalition government wants the new system in place by 2015.

Alistair Tebbit, spokesman for the Institute of Directors (IoD), says the current system is already costly for SMEs. ‘If employees were given the opportunity to take leave in short blocks, the system would become virtually unmanageable – how would firms arrange cover?’

Not everyone opposes the reforms. CBI director for employment policy, Katja Hall, says the moves could help families balance work and home life, but adds, ‘Any changes will need to be simple to administer and must allow firms to plan ahead to cover staff absences.’

Business Secretary Vince Cable says the government is ‘conscious of the concerns of some companies, particularly SMEs’.

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