Discussing intentions early on

Acas advises that having an early and informal discussion can provide an opportunity for both the employee and employer to talk about their preference regarding when Shared Parental Leave is taken. Employers and employees can use this discussion as an opportunity to point out the different options such as maternity, paternity leave (or adoption leave), and it can provide an opportunity to ensure the employee is aware of their statutory rights or any contractual schemes the employer has in place. It can also be an opportunity to discuss when any discontinuous leave can be best accommodated.