Acas has published new advice for employers to help them support working parents with premature or sick babies and which also explains the law and takes account of the needs of the business. There are over 95,000 premature or sick babies born each year in the UK. This new Acas guidance provides information in relation to preterm births or full-term births where the baby is sick. It sets out best practice guidance for managing employees in these difficult circumstances. It includes explaining what premature birth means, supporting the parents following the birth, providing assistance and comfort where a premature, or sick baby, dies and helping with returning to work where parents may be anxious about leaving their child.

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