Unpaid parental leave
Eligibility
Employees qualify if all of these apply:
- they鈥檝e been in the company for more than a year
- they鈥檙e named on the child鈥檚 birth or adoption certificate or they have or expect to have parental responsibility
- they鈥檙e not self-employed or a 鈥榳orker鈥�, for example an agency worker or contractor
- they鈥檙e not a foster parent (unless they鈥檝e secured parental responsibility through the courts)
- the child is under 18
Employers can ask for proof (like a birth certificate) as long as it鈥檚 reasonable to do so - for example they cannot ask for proof each time an employee requests leave.
Employers can choose to offer parental leave to those groups who are not eligible. Employees can check this in their staff handbook.