Health (Postponement of Certain Leave) Bill 2024

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The measure would let a worker who is on maternity leave, additional maternity leave, or adoptive leave ask to pause that leave if they are diagnosed with cancer or are being treated for it. It also covers leave for fathers or other parents in similar family-leave situations, so they can postpone eligible leave and take the unused time later once they are fit to return to work. Employers would have to reply in writing, and the unused leave would normally be taken as one continuous period after recovery, with rules made on how long a postponement can last and what medical evidence may be needed. It matters because it gives people facing cancer a way to protect their leave entitlement without losing time with a new child or after adoption.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Adoptive Leave Act 1995 and for those purposes to provide a mechanism to postpone maternity leave or adoptive leave in circumstances where a person is diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and to provide for related matters. 

Last updated 28 March 2025