The rules about parental leave

These rules are the minimum set down by the government, for those people whose workplaces do not have Workforce or Collective Agreements.  Your employer is free to have more generous rules if they wish, so check your contract.

• You may only take leave in blocks or multiples of one week, unless your child is entitled to DLA, in which case you may take leave in blocks or multiples of one day
• A maximum of four weeks in a  year per eligible child may be taken by each parent
• You must give your employer at least 21 days' notice  to take parental leave.  The notice letter must state the start and end dates of the leave
• The employer can postpone your leave for up to six months where the business would be particularly disrupted if the leave were taken at the time requested, unless you are taking the leave immediately after the birth of your child (or placement of your child in your family for adoption), in which case your employer cannot postpone your leave.  The leave cannot be postponed beyond the child’s 18th birthday.

If your employer is attempting to postpone the taking of your parental leave, please contact our helpline for advice. Employers are required to follow a specific procedure if they want to do this.