What do new neonatal leave laws mean for employers?

The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 comes into force on April 6, 2025, providing new rights for staff who care for newborns.   

Following the passing of the Act, the government has now confirmed the new rights for employees with newborns requiring neonatal care, supporting new parents during a particularly vulnerable stage of their working lives. 

Unlike most parental leave, the need for neonatal leave is unexpected and urgent, often requiring parents to make an impossible choice between financial security and caring for their child. The Act is set to provide statutory leave from day one of employment, allowing employees to stay with their newborns during a critical period of medical or palliative care, if admitted into hospital for a continuous period of seven days within the first 28 days after birth.