What do we mean by Parenting & Childcare?

When we talk about Parenting & Childcare in relation to your games business, we simply mean the policies and perks you provide to help your team members balance their work and family life. This could include things like parental leave, flexible work arrangements, childcare support, and access to family planning resources – all designed to keep your employees happy and thriving both at work and at home.

What is UK law on Parenting & Childcare in the Workplace?

UK Parenting & Childcare laws are all about making sure your team has the support they need when it comes to their family life and responsibilities. These laws cover everything from maternity and paternity leave to adoption leave, shared parental leave, and even time off for dependants. By following these regulations, you’re creating a healthy work-life balance and making sure your employees feel valued and protected.

In terms of leave policies, your team members have the right to take time off when they have a baby, adopt a child, or need to care for their family. Maternity leave allows mums-to-be to take up to 52 weeks off, with Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) available for 39 of those weeks.

New dads or partners can take up to 2 weeks of paternity leave with Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP). Adoptive parents can also enjoy adoption leave, and parents can even share leave through the shared parental leave scheme. Lastly, it’s essential to keep in mind that UK law protects your employees from discrimination based on their family planning choices. The Equality Act 2010 makes sure that everyone gets treated fairly, regardless of their pregnancy, maternity, or paternity status.

As a games business owner, it’s your job to ensure that you accommodate your employees’ needs and provide a supportive work environment.

Key organisations & resources

Calendar events

Carers Week

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

Learn more about Carers Week

Develop:Brighton

The Develop:Brighton conference has something for everyone – 10 tracks covering every discipline of game making, including free Roundtables and Indie BootCamp. It’s main focus is practical take-away and vocational content giving you the chance to “skill-up” and do what you do even better.

Learn more about Develop:Brighton

Develop:Star Awards

Taking place on the evening of Wednesday 10 July during Develop:Brighton, the Develop:Star Awards 2024 will recognise the very best games and talent within the industry with categories that enable studios of every size to shine.

World Breast Feeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week is an annual campaign to promote the benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers, emphasising its importance for global health and wellbeing.

Learn more about World Breast Feeding Week

International Youth Day

International Youth Day is an annual observance dedicated to celebrating the potential of young people, raising awareness of challenges they face, and promoting their active engagement in socio-economic and political processes.

Learn more about International Youth Day

National Inclusion Week

Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces.

Learn more about National Inclusion Week

Baby Loss Awareness Week

Baby Loss Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.

Learn more about Baby Loss Awareness Week

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).

Learn more about International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Human Rights Day

In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe.

Learn more about Human Rights Day