Parental Leave
Parental leave is unpaid time off work for eligible parents to care for their child, providing up to 18 weeks per child until the child turns 18.
leave-types
Category
intermediate
Difficulty
5 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Parental leave is unpaid time off work for eligible parents to care for their child, providing up to 18 weeks per child until the child turns 18.
Detailed explanation
Statutory parental leave gives eligible employees the right to take unpaid time off to look after their child. In the UK, each parent can take up to 18 weeks per child, up until the child's 18th birthday.
Parental leave is different from maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave. It is unpaid and can be taken in blocks, typically with a maximum of 4 weeks per year per child unless the employer agrees otherwise.
This leave is designed to give parents flexibility to attend to their children's needs, such as settling a child into new childcare, spending time with children during school holidays, or looking after a sick child.
Practical guidance
How it works
Eligible employees give 21 days notice to take parental leave. It is taken in blocks of 1 week (default) up to 4 weeks per year per child. The leave is unpaid.
Best practices
Communicate parental leave policy clearly
Track entitlement per child
Process requests promptly
Legal context
Legal basis
Employment Rights Act 1996, Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999
Jurisdiction: UK
Key provisions
18 weeks per child until child turns 18
Must have 1 year continuous service
Maximum 4 weeks per year per child (default)
Must give 21 days notice
Leave is unpaid
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Is parental leave paid?
No, statutory parental leave is unpaid. However, your employer may have an enhanced policy that offers some pay during parental leave.
Related glossary terms
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is time off work for pregnant employees before and after childbirth, with statutory protections and pay entitlements.
Paternity Leave
Paternity leave is time off work for fathers or partners following the birth or adoption of a child.
Shared Parental Leave
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them in the first year after their child's birth or adoption.