New rules mean fathers can take 26 weeks off work

New rules mean that, from now on, parents can share childcare during their child's first year and take six months off work each.

The coalition government is hoping to introduce a fully, flexible system of parental leave in 2015.

But how will businesses cope with the possibility of male members of staff taking extended periods of leave?

The BBC spoke to Angela Shields, an employment law specialist, and Chris Parke, a consultant who helps coach companies and their staff through periods of maternity and paternity leave.