Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This survey aimed to provide a statistically representative picture of working parents' views and preferences with respect to leave arrangements to facilitate support for their children. Over 1,000 parents in employment, working eight hours or more per week, were surveyed across Great Britain during autumn 2000. The survey was timed in order to inform the Government's 'Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice' Green Paper, published in December 2000.

The survey examined the following issues:

parents' take-up of the statutory leave entitlements introduced under the Employment Relations Act 1999, and employers' 'top-up' provisions (covering maternity/paternity leave, emergency time off to care for dependants, and parental leave;

parents' reasons for non-take-up of existing provisions;

parents' preferences with respect to employers' provisions and views on the practicability of employers extending existing provisions.

Further information about the study methodology may be found in the documentation.

Main Topics:

The questionnaire covered maternity and paternity leave, emergency time off, parental leave, screening questions and demographic details.