SMALL business owners in Wiltshire have been urged to prepare for recent changes brought in by the Employment Act 2002.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning businesses the new provisions will have a major effect on small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Employment Act 2002 was introduced in July with changes to family friendly rights, which come into force in April 2003.
The forum is advising employers to set up family friendly policies to apply from April 6, when working mothers will be entitled to six months' paid maternity leave and a further six months' unpaid leave.
Adoption leave will also be introduced at the same time with similar rules and payments as for statutory maternity leave.
Two weeks' paternity leave will be available to working fathers. The government is considering extending paternity leave to men who are not the child's biological father.
Garry Parker, FPB's director of public affairs, said: "Employers must ensure that they introduce their own workplace procedures which will comply with the procedures laid down in the act, and that staff are aware of their rights."
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