Education and Child Matters

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Unpaid Parental Leave

 

WHAT DOES UNPAID PARENTAL LEAVE MEAN?

Parental leave is where an individual who is an employee can take time away from work to look after a child under 18 years of age.

Parental leave is also sometimes called family leave or ordinary parental leave.

IS PARENTAL LEAVE ALWAYS UNPAID?

This will depend upon the contract you have with your employer but it will most probably be unpaid leave.

HOW MUCH UNPAID PARENTAL LEAVE CAN YOU TAKE?

You are entitled to 18 weeks unpaid leave for every child you have until they reach 18 years of age. 

CAN YOU TAKE THESE 18 WEEKS IN ONE GO?

No you cannot. You can only take up to 4 weeks a year and in blocks of a week. If you have a child with a disability (you receive disability living allowance or personal independence payment) then you can take 1 – 2 days off instead of weekly blocks.  

WHO CAN TAKE PARENTAL LEAVE?

You can take parental leave if:

1. You have parental responsibility for the child

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHAT IS LEGAL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY?

2. You have worked for the employer for at least a 12 months

3. You must be an employee

HOW MUCH NOTICE DO YOU NEED TO GIVE YOUR EMPLOYER?

You must give 21 days notice i writing if you would like parental leave.

CAN YOUR EMPLOYER FIRE YOU IF YOU ASKED FOR PARENTAL LEAVE?

No they cannot.

CAN YOUR EMPLOYER CANCEL OR NOT GIVE YOU PARENTAL LEAVE?

No, they cannot cancel or refuse parental leave. 

However, your employer can postpone your parental leave if it will hurt or disrupt their business. Your employer can postpone your parental leave for up to 6 months. They must let you know in writing within 7 days of you asking for parental leave giving you a reason why and other alternative dates.

CAN SOMEONE TAKE PARENTAL LEAVE ALONG WITH PATERNITY LEAVE?

Yes they can if they are the biological father or their partner is having a baby themselves, through surrogacy, or adopting.

As stated above 21 days written notice will need to be given.

Please note your employer cannot postpone your parental leave if you ask for it straight after the baby is born or adopted.