Most employers expect difficulty coping with this week’s introduction of new rights for workers with family responsibilities, according to a survey by CIPD/KPMG.

Many employers believe that the implementation of new legal rights for working mothers and fathers, set out in the Work and Families Act and due to come into force on 6 April, will cause them difficulty.

It found that 64% of employers surveyed think that the paternity leave provisions of the WFA 2006 will cause them either some (48%) or significant (16%) difficulties, while 57% think the maternity and adoption pay provisions will cause difficulties.

The new legislation will extend maternity and adoption pay from six to nine months and extend the right to request flexible working to carers of adults from 6 April 2007. 

Mike Emmott, CIPD adviser, employee relations, says: “These results do not necessarily indicate hostility mean that employers are hostile to the Work and Families Act. Most good employers recognise the importance of work life balance and, as the CIPD/KPMG survey shows, many already offer flexible working to a wider range of employees than those covered by the WFA 2006.

However, it is clear from the survey that there is scepticism about some of the WFA provisions, especially those relating to paternity leave, and concern about the difficulties that might arise in implementing them. It is possible that such reservations simply reflect the caution with which employers tend to embrace any new regulations. But the government needs to reassure employers about the administration of the new provisions.”