Maternity and parental rights include maternity, paternity and unpaid paternity leave. 

Explore our resources, including reports and factsheets detailing working parents, maternity and paternity leave and other family-friendly policies.

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Employment law

Practical resources to help you address employment law issues at work, and keep up with recent and pending legislation.

One Employment law about Maternity and parental rights
Employment law
Maternity and parental rights: Ireland employment law
Information on the law relating to maternity leave, paternity leave, parents leave and parental leave
For Members

Reports

Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations

One Report about Maternity and parental rights
Report
Focus on working parents
Why parental leave and childcare provision policies need to be reformed

Case studies

Learn from real world examples of how other people professionals and organisations work with the CIPD to approach key challenges and objectives.

Two Case studies about Maternity and parental rights
Case study
Case study: returning to work after maternity
This case study emphasises the importance of a strong professional network in rebuilding confidence when returning to work
Case study
Case study: returning to work after maternity and a period of self-employment
This Chartered Member describes the challenges of finding a suitable role

Thought leadership

Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work

Two Thought leadership about Maternity and parental rights
Thought leadership
Briefing | HR implications of Budget 2025
A summary of the key developments from Ireland’s Budget 2025, focusing on the measures most relevant to the people profession
Thought leadership
Organisations need to work with their carers to give them the support they need, now more than ever...
Claire McCartney explores the challenges working carers face and what employers, and government, can do to support them in the workplace

Bitesize research

Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize

One Bitesize research about Maternity and parental rights
Bitesize research
Making maternity policies fit for purpose
How does employment impact maternal mental health?
For Members

Policy engagements

Our calls for action.

Six Policy engagements about Maternity and parental rights
Policy engagement
Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Consultation
Read the CIPD's submission to the Northern Ireland Assembly's Department for the Economy
Policy engagement
Good work plan: proposals to support families – neonatal leave and pay
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Good work plan: proposals to support families – parental leave and pay
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Good work plan: proposals to support families – transparency of flexible working and family related leave and pay policies
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination: extending redundancy protection for women and new parents
Read the CIPD’s submission to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination
Read the CIPD's response to the Women and Equality Select Committee Inquiry

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