The current rules for care leave and other forms of leave from work are too complex and need reform, a senior advisory body made up of employer and union representatives said on Friday.

The current mish-mash, the SER said in recommendations to the next cabinet, needs to be redefined into three categories, one for children, one for relatives and personal leave.

“The system has become far from clear and even specialists struggle to get it right,” said SER member Nicolette van Gestel.

Care for children should include maternity leave, parental leave and leave following adoption or fostering, the SER said. The current rules for short and long term leave to care for family members should be combined into “care for relatives” and leave following a death, or to to study should be incorporated into “personal leave”.

Earlier this week it emerged that an increasing number of pay and conditions agreements are including extra days off in an effort by employers to get staff to stay with them. For example, the NS is introducing a form of leave for women with painful periods while Ikea has brought in leave for people who wish to change sex.