Sixth form and college library support
How libraries can support sixth form and college students
What is shared parental leave?
Shared parental leave is a way for parents to share their statutory maternity or adoption leave and pay with their partner.
A parent can decide to opt out of statutory maternity or adoption leave or pay and into the shared parental leave system.
Whatever leave and pay that is left under the statutory maternity or adoption schemes can be shared between the two parents.
What is the entitlement?
Employees are entitled to take up to 50 weeks shared parental leave during their child’s first year in their family.
Employees may be entitled to receive up to 37 weeks shared parental pay while taking shared parental leave.
This will be paid at a rate set by the Government for the relevant tax year (currently £139.58 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower).
When can I start shared parental leave?
The mother or adopter can take shared parental leave after taking at least two weeks of maternity or adoption leave.
The father, partner or spouse can take shared parental leave immediately following the birth or placement of the child.
How can shared parental leave be taken?
Shared parental leave can only be taken in complete weeks but may begin on any day of the week.
An employee can ask for leave between two dates (continuous leave) or a set number of weeks of leave over a period of time with breaks between the leave where they return to work (discontinuous leave).
Am I eligible?
Shared parental leave is available to parents of babies due or placed for adoption on or after 5 April 2015. Both parents must share the main responsibility for the care of the child.
The mother or adopter of the child must be or have been eligible to statutory maternity or adoption leave or pay.
An employee must:
-
employed for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the expected due date
or
- by the end of week they were informed of being matched
- be employed at the start of each period of shared parental leave
- provide correct notice of their entitlement and evidence as required
The employee’s partner must have worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks leading up to the child’s expected due date or matching date and earned an average of at least £30 a week in any 13 of those weeks.
What notice do I need to give?
Where an employee wants to take shared parental leave, they must give their manager a number of notices.
Our Shared Parental Leave Policy (PDF) provides information on how to do this.
Where can I find out more?
The law covering shared parental leave is complicated.
For the full guidance and terms, please see the: Shared Parental Leave Guidance (PDF).
For managers
Shared Parental Leave Formal Notices Forms (Word)