[Guernsey] Calls for improved maternity benefits in line with Jersey

Growing calls for Guernsey States to do more to support parents back to work after having children have become part of proposed moves to solve the recruitment crisis, ITV News reports.

In Guernsey, there is currently no legal requirement for employers to pay any parental leave and no statutory right to request flexible hours.

In Jersey, however, all employees have the right to request flexible hours and both parents can reportedly take a year off work.

The difference in policies between the two Channel Islands has left some new parents having to decide been working and childcare.

Emma Beaven resigned from her States job in Guernsey in 2021 after her request for a year of unpaid maternity leave was denied.

She told ITV News, "I would've had to come back on four days, doing full-time hours on four days a week, which for me in terms of prioritising my son I was struggling to see when I would see him.

"I love working, I also love being a parent so I wanted to be able to do both in a way that worked for us."

Following her own experience after having a child, Emma has reportedly questioned how two islands so close, can have two separate policies.

"The benefits are hugely clear particularly in things like mental health, so to say that somewhere like Jersey which is not too far from here, is more progressive in terms of those rights - it's unfortunate for those of us living, working and being parents in Guernsey."

Mothers in Guernsey are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, rising to 26 weeks leave for those with 15 months of continuous service with their employer.

Mothers in Jersey, by contrast, are automatically entitled to 52 weeks' leave after the birth of their child.

Partners in Jersey are also reportedly entitled to six weeks of paid leave and can take 52 weeks' leave regardless of how long they have worked for the company.

In Guernsey, islanders will only get two weeks of unpaid leave if they have 15 months of continuous service.

In addition, there is a considerable gap in free childcare offered to parents across the Channel Islands.

Jersey pays for up to 30 hours a week of free childcare for three and four-year-olds. In Guernsey, however, you can only claim 15 hours of free care a week for four-year-olds.

The President of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce reportedly wants Guernsey States to do more and believes that Jersey's policies are fairer and likely to attract more parents back into work.

Diane De Garis - President of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce - said, "It's short-sighted not to look at this and yes we might not have the money to pay for more childcare or preschool education but we could look at tax breaks for people reentering the workplace with young children so it is targeted and then we have nothing to lose."

 Lindsay de Sausmarez - Guernsey's Employment & Social Security Vice-President - said, "Following on from the recent Population and Tax Review debates, there is a need to look at ways of strengthening the economy to help generate the revenues needed to close the shortfall in public finances. 

"That includes looking at how we can help people who want to be in work, stay in work, return to work, or increase the amount of work they are currently doing to be more economically active. 

"I am keen to see the focus on areas such as effective support for working parents firmly back on the agenda, as this is a key barrier that we know is constraining economic productivity at the moment."

Source: ITV News

(Quotes via original reporting)

Growing calls for Guernsey States to do more to support parents back to work after having children have become part of proposed moves to solve the recruitment crisis, ITV News reports.

In Guernsey, there is currently no legal requirement for employers to pay any parental leave and no statutory right to request flexible hours.

In Jersey, however, all employees have the right to request flexible hours and both parents can reportedly take a year off work.

The difference in policies between the two Channel Islands has left some new parents having to decide been working and childcare.

Emma Beaven resigned from her States job in Guernsey in 2021 after her request for a year of unpaid maternity leave was denied.

She told ITV News, "I would've had to come back on four days, doing full-time hours on four days a week, which for me in terms of prioritising my son I was struggling to see when I would see him.

"I love working, I also love being a parent so I wanted to be able to do both in a way that worked for us."

Following her own experience after having a child, Emma has reportedly questioned how two islands so close, can have two separate policies.

"The benefits are hugely clear particularly in things like mental health, so to say that somewhere like Jersey which is not too far from here, is more progressive in terms of those rights - it's unfortunate for those of us living, working and being parents in Guernsey."

Mothers in Guernsey are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, rising to 26 weeks leave for those with 15 months of continuous service with their employer.

Mothers in Jersey, by contrast, are automatically entitled to 52 weeks' leave after the birth of their child.

Partners in Jersey are also reportedly entitled to six weeks of paid leave and can take 52 weeks' leave regardless of how long they have worked for the company.

In Guernsey, islanders will only get two weeks of unpaid leave if they have 15 months of continuous service.

In addition, there is a considerable gap in free childcare offered to parents across the Channel Islands.

Jersey pays for up to 30 hours a week of free childcare for three and four-year-olds. In Guernsey, however, you can only claim 15 hours of free care a week for four-year-olds.

The President of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce reportedly wants Guernsey States to do more and believes that Jersey's policies are fairer and likely to attract more parents back into work.

Diane De Garis - President of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce - said, "It's short-sighted not to look at this and yes we might not have the money to pay for more childcare or preschool education but we could look at tax breaks for people reentering the workplace with young children so it is targeted and then we have nothing to lose."

 Lindsay de Sausmarez - Guernsey's Employment & Social Security Vice-President - said, "Following on from the recent Population and Tax Review debates, there is a need to look at ways of strengthening the economy to help generate the revenues needed to close the shortfall in public finances. 

"That includes looking at how we can help people who want to be in work, stay in work, return to work, or increase the amount of work they are currently doing to be more economically active. 

"I am keen to see the focus on areas such as effective support for working parents firmly back on the agenda, as this is a key barrier that we know is constraining economic productivity at the moment."

Source: ITV News

(Quotes via original reporting)