Employment rights and responsibilities

If you live apart or separate from the other parent, you may be concerned about how this may affect your current employment. You may wonder how you can combine work with parenting and how you'll provide financially for your child - whether you live with them or not.

It will help you if you understand what your employment options and rights are. This will make it easier to plan and arrange your finances, and to focus on arranging child maintenance for your child.

If you're living apart from your child, you may want to learn about arranging flexible working so you can spend more time with your child. If you're separating from the other parent, you may want to find out how to get back to work, or how to enter work for the first time.

Download our Employment rights and responsibilities [PDF 567KB] PDF leaflet to get information on taking paternity or maternity leave. The leaflet explains the types of financial support you may be entitled to as a parent, and where you can go to apply for certain benefits. You can also find out where to go for help with getting work.

Knowing you have to bring in money to support your child can place you under pressure as a parent. But understanding your employment rights and options will help you plan for you and your child with more confidence.

Useful organisations

Jobcentre Plus and Jobseeker Direct

Search and apply for jobs.

Connexions

An information service for people aged 13-19 (or up to the age of 25 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) who are living in England and looking for work.

Careers Scotland

Careers advice for people leaving school, leaving a job, returning to work after a break, wanting to change direction, or keen to do more with their current job.