Unpaid parental leave

Working parents who are employees (not agency workers) and who have one year’s service can take unpaid parental leave. There is a “default” statutory scheme in place, but if there is an agreement negotiated with a recognised trade union which improves on the basic rights, for example, by providing for some of the time off to be paid, this will prevail.

The leave is available to each parent and each child. Leave must be taken in blocks of one week, unless the child is disabled or the employer agrees something different. Unpaid parental leave can be added to maternity leave.

The minimum statutory allocation of unpaid parental leave is as follows:

• for each child, up to four weeks a year, capped at 18 weeks, to be used at any time up to age 18;

• for each child who qualifies for disability living allowance, up to 18 weeks, up to the child’s 18th birthday.