Starting adoption leave

Adoption leave can start up to 14 days before the child is expected to be placed with the employee.

Once notice has been given for taking adoption leave, the employee can subsequently vary the date that the leave will begin on, providing that their employer has 28 days’ notice of this variation. An employer can ask for this change of date in writing.

If it is not reasonably practicable to give notice 28 days in advance, an employee must give notice to the employer as soon as possible. Statutory Adoption Leave (SAL) will begin on the date specified in the final notice given by the employee.

If an employee finds that they are at work on the day of their adoption leave, then the SAL period begins on the day after that.

OAL finishes after 26 weeks and on the date that the employer has informed the employee that it will end. If the employee opts to take AAL, then this will end after 26 weeks and when the employer has confirmed that it will end.

If the employee wants to change the return to work date then they must give eight weeks’ notice.