Parental Leave

Q        One of my employees took four weeks' parental leave with their previous employer, do I still have to allow them to take 13 weeks' parental leave?

A        No.  Parental leave transfers from employer to employer, so if the employee has already taken four weeks' parental leave you only have to allow them to take a maximum of a further nine weeks' leave up to the child's fifth birthday.

Q        An employee has submitted a request to take two weeks' parental leave.  Is this leave paid?

A        No, parental leave is unpaid.

Q        A male member of staff has requested parental leave, doesn't this only apply to mothers?

A        No.  Parental leave applies to both parents, with each being entitled to take 13 weeks' leave up to the child's fifth birthday (18 weeks up to the child's 18^th birthday if the child is disabled).

Q        Can parental leave be taken in single days?

A        No.  Parental leave should be taken in minimum blocks of one week, with the exception for parents of disabled children who can take parental leave in single days.