An event is taking place today (27 January) educating both new parents and their employers about what rights they have when thinking about returning to work.

The 'Lunch and Learn Awareness' meeting promises to teach bosses how to best support mums and dads with parental leave, breastfeeding, separation anxiety what workplace responsibilities they have towards them. 

New parents are also invited to better understand what their legal rights are when coming back into the office.

The talk is being run by Deputy Raluca Kovacs in collaboration with the UNICEF baby-friendly initiative.

It will involve a panel discussion from HR professionals , JACS (Jersey Advice and Conciliation Service), infant feeding experts, as well as people from family law and the Children's Commissioner's office.

Deputy Raluca Kovacs

Deputy Raluca Kovacs hopes this 'refresh' on the law will go some way to reducing anxieties for new parents going back to work and spread awareness of the rights parents have:

"We're talking about raising awareness about breastfeeding support when returning to work, on employee's rights and employer's responsibilities.

"Although there is legislation out there, we've seen that in practice it is not always the case that it is implemented in the best, most adequate way.

"So we have seen the need to raise awareness between employers and employees in what are the best practices that can be shared between all employers, and also what rights there are for new parents going back to work that can benefit them."

Agenda for today's event

The event is taking place from 11am - 1pm at St Paul's Centre.