Unpaid parental leave
Eligibility
Employees qualify if all of these apply:
- they’re named on the child’s birth or adoption certificate or they have or expect to have parental responsibility
- they’re not self-employed or a ‘worker’, for example, an agency worker or contractor
- they’re not a foster parent (unless they’ve secured parental responsibility through the courts)
- the child is under 18
Employers can ask for proof (like a birth certificate) as long as it’s reasonable to do so - for example they cannot ask for proof each time an employee requests leave.
Employers can choose to offer parental leave to those groups who are not eligible. Employees can check this in their staff handbook.