Survey shows businesses fears over paternity laws

New research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has highlighted the dread with which many of the UK's small businesses are viewing the newly-implemented laws on paternity leave.

A survey carried by the national commerce organisation showed that many owners of businesses with liability protection feel that the new outlines on the matter have the potential to raise new difficulties for them. Some 52 per cent of small business owners admitted that they feared the laws would be detrimental to their trade.

The director general of the BCC, David Frost, said that the introduction of the new paternity rules flew in the face of the Government's claim to be prioritising the cutting of red tape.

"Our survey results show that employment law changes are causing great concern among employers, who, instead of concentrating on running their business, have to cope with more and more shifts in employment law," he said. "Unless practical steps are taken to help free businesses from red tape, the burden on employers will only increase."

The changes were brought in on April 3, and mean that any father with a child born on or after that date could be eligible to take up to 26 weeks of paternity leave.