Parental Leave Policy

What is a Parental Leave Policy?

Employees have the right to unpaid time off to look after their child up to their 18th birthday. This is called ‘ordinary’ or unpaid parental leave.

Each parent can take up to 18 weeks for each child. It should be:

• in blocks of a week at a time
• a maximum of 4 weeks a year for each child

Why is a Parental Leave Policy important?

Employers must ensure they handle parental leave requests appropriately and comply with the law. This policy provides guidance on the processes that should be followed.