The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999
These Regulations, together with provisions inserted into the Employment Rights Act 1996 (“the 1996 Act") by the Employment Relations Act 1999, confer new rights to maternity and parental leave. The provisions relating to parental leave implement Council Directive 96/34/EC on the framework agreement on parental leave (OJ No.L145, 19.6.96, p.4).