THE TUC has produced five free leaflets which explain new working rights.

They are available from the TUC's "Know your rights line" (0870 600 4882) and working life website www.work smart.org.uk

Working mothers whose babies are due after April 6 are to benefit from enhanced maternity leave and pay, and their partners will be able to take paid paternity leave for the very first time.

Couples adopting a child can also take advantage of new rights to paid leave.

In addition, mothers and fathers with children under six and the parents of disabled children, are to get the chance to introduce a little more balance into their working and home lives.

Employers now have to give serious consideration to any requests they make to work flexibly.

And, young people just starting out in the world of work have better rights thanks to the European Young Workers Directive.

Most young workers aged 16 and 17 will not be able to work more than eight hours per day or 40 hours per week, and cannot work at night.

The five free leaflets - 'Adoption leave and pay', 'Maternity leave and pay', 'Paternity leave and pay', 'Flexible working for parents' and 'Young workers' offer a basic guide to the new rights and answer frequently asked questions.