The clock is ticking.

In just days, neonatal care leave and pay becomes law. From April 2025, eligible employees will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of additional leave if their newborn needs hospital care. For some families, that will make the difference between coping and falling apart.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we break down exactly what employers need to know. Who qualifies. How the 26-week service requirement and earnings threshold work. What statutory pay looks like. And how the leave can be taken flexibly in blocks within a 68-week window.

But this is not just a compliance update.

Neonatal care leave is about real families facing one of the most frightening starts to parenthood. It is about time, space, and security when everything feels uncertain.

We also talk through what HR teams should be doing right now. Updating policies. Briefing managers. Checking payroll systems. Reviewing absence processes. Making sure the paperwork matches the law. And having the right conversations before someone needs this support in a crisis.

There is also an often-overlooked opportunity. Review your business insurance policies. Some employers can enhance pay with minimal extra cost if cover is already in place. It is worth checking before you assume it is unaffordable.

We are especially proud to connect this episode to our Charity of the Year, New Life Special Care Babies, which supports neonatal units across the UK. Their work is a powerful reminder that behind every policy is a family navigating something incredibly tough.

Whether you are fully prepared or scrambling to get ready, this episode gives you clear, practical steps to make sure your business is compliant and compassionate.

Visit our website for policy templates, statutory rate tables, and practical resources.

Because compliance matters. But how you show up for people in difficult moments matters even more.

If you’re not 100% sure how your HR is really holding up, take our free HR Health Check. It’s short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what’s working — and what needs a bit of love.

And if you do it before 1st April 2026, you’ll get a bonus 7 Pillar Strategy-on-a-Page, tailored to help you manage HR brilliantly for the year ahead. That’s it for today, but if you fancy a bit of friendly HR advice in your inbox (with zero waffle), come and join our newsletter.

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If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

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Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.