Shared parental leave
It takes two
Shared parental leave (SPL) emerged as a significant reform in family-friendly policies, introduced by the government in 2015 to offer eligible parents greater flexibility in caring for their newborns or newly adopted children.
Unlike the previous ‘additional paternity leave’, SPL allows both parents to share up to 52 weeks of leave, aiming to facilitate better work-life balance for both families.
The legislation applies to babies born on or after 5th April 2015, and also extends to adoptions occurring on or after this date.
This provision ensures that adopting parents can equally benefit from this initiative, providing flexibility within the first year following placement of the child.
Following the compulsory two weeks of maternity leave after birth, parents can decide how to allocate the remaining leave. They can take it simultaneously or opt for staggered periods, providing that some maternity leave remains to be shared. SPL can be divided into a maximum of three separate blocks, offering flexibility in scheduling time off to care for the child.
To qualify for SPL, the mother or primary adoptive parent must have been employed continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 28 days prior to the expected due date or the date of adoption matching. Additionally, they must meet the eligibility criteria for maternity leave/pay or adoption leave/pay.
Employees intending to take SPL must give their employer 8 weeks’ notice before the intended start date, specifying the total amount of leave and pay remaining, partner’s details, and the agreed distribution of leave and pay.
This notice must also include a signed declaration from the partner confirming their eligibility and share the leave and pay.
Employers must maintain accurate records of Shared Parental Pay, including payment dates, reclaimed amounts, and evidence of employee eligibility.
These records should be retained for at least three years from the end of the tax year in which the payments were made, ensuring compliance with HM Revenue & Customs regulations.
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