The Work and Families Act 2006 (c. 18) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom relating to maternity pay, paternity pay and flexible working.
The government stated the goal of the legislation was to "ensure every child gets the best start in life and to give parents more choice enabling them to balance their work and family responsibilities."
The act extends maternity leave and makes a proportion of paid maternity leave transferrable. The act allows fathers to take three months' paid leave to care for their babies.
The act extends the right to request flexible working to more groups with caring responsibilities.
The act contains measures to help employers to manage Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay.
The act increases the period of notice for return from maternity leave to two months.