Page 45 - Zeus Employee Handbook

Leave Who gets it? How long? Is it paid?

26 weeks and Yes, Maternity
Maternity
Female employees up to 16 Benefit is paid for
leave
unpaid weeks 26 weeks

24 weeks and Yes, Adoptive
Adoptive Adoptive mothers, Men
up to 16 Benefit is paid for
leave adopting alone
unpaid weeks 24 weeks

New parents of children Yes, Paternity
Paternity
under 6 months of age (but 2 weeks Benefit is paid for
leave
not the mother of the child) 2 weeks

Parental Parents and guardians of
22 weeks No, it’s unpaid
leave children under 12

Parents of children under 1 Yes, Parent’s
Parent’s
year of age (or in first year of 2 weeks Benefit is paid for
leave
adoption) 2 weeks

3.10.2 Rules about parent's leave

The legislation governing parent’s leave is the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019.

You must meet certain criteria to be eligible to take parent’s leave. You must:

• Be a relevant parent – see ‘Who can take parent’s leave?’ below:
• Take the leave within 52 weeks of the birth of the child or in the case of adoption, from the date
the child is placed with you (the placement date) of placement of the child
• Give at least 6 weeks’ notice to your employer

The legislation only provides for the minimum entitlement to parent’s leave. Your contract of
employment may give you more rights.

3.10.3 Who can take parent’s leave?

Relevant parents can take parent’s leave for eligible children. A relevant parent is one of the
following:

• A parent of the child
• A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent of the child

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