The launch of the government’s landmark review into the parental leave system is a pivotal moment, not just for families, but for employers, workplaces, and the legal profession as a whole.
The UK’s current framework for parental leave lags behind the realities of modern parenthood. It often reinforces outdated assumptions about gender roles, penalises mothers for taking time off, and fails to support fathers and partners in taking meaningful early leave. The result is a system that does little to promote true equality, and even less to support long-term career progression for women.
This review offers a critical opportunity for parental leave to become a foundation for equality and accessibility from day one. At Jenner & Block, we have made it a priority to ensure our policies reflect the lived realities of working families today. That means offering fair, equal access to leave for all parents, regardless of gender or role.
From a leadership perspective, this review is also a vital mechanism for addressing the persistent disparity in time taken out of the workforce between men and women. Too often, this imbalance contributes to unequal opportunities, slower career progression, and a lack of female representation at senior levels. By encouraging early and equal involvement in childcare, we can begin to narrow that gap and ensure that professional experience and continuity become more equal across genders.
The benefits go beyond fairness. Early, active parenting from both parents is linked to improved outcomes for children and healthier family dynamics. For employers, this translates into more inclusive, resilient workplaces where all professionals feel empowered to thrive, both in their personal and professional lives.
I welcome the government’s parental leave review as a chance to drive cultural change across society. It’s time to move away from the idea that parental responsibilities are primarily a woman’s role. We must ensure that taking leave to care for a child is no longer a career-defining (or career-limiting) event, but a shared responsibility, supported by modern policy and progressive workplace leadership.
Christine Braamskamp is managing partner at Jenner & Block LLP in London
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