| Committee/Panel: Health and Social Security Panel | |
| Launch Date: 26 February 2025 | Close Date: To be advised |
| Submissions Deadline: To be advised | Ministerial Response Date: To be advised |
| Review Status: Gathering evidence | |
In Progress.
About
A Scrutiny sub-panel has been set up to gain a better understanding of how Jersey’s family friendly legislation, including changes to the Employment Law made in 2018 and 2020, have been implemented and what the impact has been on families living in the Island. The sub-panel is keen also assess the Government’s provision to provide children with the best possible start in life.
The States Assembly approved a number of amendments to the Employment Law in 2018 following a review of the legislation by the Employment Forum. These included:
- increasing the length of paid parental leave for both parents,
- introducing the right for parents to attend at antenatal appointments,
- introducing the right for mothers to request breastfeeding breaks and requiring employers to take reasonable steps to provide breastfeeding facilities,
- introducing paid absence for pregnant or breastfeeding women who are unable to work on health and safety grounds.
A survey was carried out by the Minister for Social Security in 2024, following the implementation of the final tranche of amendments, to review how the changes had been received by employers and employees. Following the results, the Minister concluded that a number of actions were needed. These included increasing awareness of the changes, and to further look at the rules regarding parental allowance.
The sub-panel, which will report to the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, will investigate the progress of those actions and assess the effectiveness of the post-implementation survey. It will also assess how the legislation compares to other equivalent jurisdictions, the impact it is having on families and employers in Jersey, and the adequacy of the changes.
Membership of the sub-panel includes Deputy Louise Doublet and Deputy Lucy Stephenson, both of whom sit on the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel alongside Deputy Philip Bailhache and Deputy Jonathan Renouf. They will be joined by Deputy Kristina Moore, Deputy Beatriz Porée and Deputy Karen Wilson.
The sub-panel is keen to hear from families and employers regarding their experiences of the new family friendly legislation. Panel members also want to speak to organisations which support families locally, or that have helped businesses to understand and enact the changes. A public hearing will be held to question the Minister for Social Security regarding this.
The sub-panel, which will report to the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, will investigate the progress of those actions and assess the effectiveness of the post-implementation survey. It will also assess how the legislation compares to other equivalent jurisdictions, the impact it is having on families and employers in Jersey, and the adequacy of the changes.
Membership of the sub-panel includes Deputy Louise Doublet and Deputy Lucy Stephenson, both of whom sit on the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel alongside Deputy Philip Bailhache and Deputy Jonathan Renouf. They will be joined by Deputy Kristina Moore, Deputy Beatriz Porée and Deputy Karen Wilson.
The sub-panel is keen to hear from families and employers regarding their experiences of the new family friendly legislation. Panel members also want to speak to organisations which support families locally, or that have helped businesses to understand and enact the changes. A public hearing will be held to question the Minister for Social Security regarding this.
Terms of reference
- To conduct a comprehensive review of family friendly legislation and policy including amendments to the Employment Law made in 2018 and 2020.
- To assess how the legislation compares to other equivalent jurisdictions.
- To assess the impact of family friendly legislation.
- To assess the adequacy of family friendly legislation and how they align to the best interests of the child, ensuring the best start in life.
