Your employment rights, like holidays and returning to your job, are protected during the leave.
Quick facts
- Per child
- 18 weeks, unpaid
- Up to
- The child's 18th birthday
- Each year
- 4 weeks per child
- Taken in
- Whole weeks
- Notice
- 21 days
What you can use it for
Eligible employees can take Unpaid Parental Leave to look after their child’s welfare, for example to:
- attend the birth of their child
- spend more time with their children
- look at new schools
- settle children into new childcare arrangements
- spend more time with family, such as visiting grandparents
How much and how
The limit on how much parental leave each parent can take in a year is 4 weeks for each child (unless the employer agrees otherwise).
You must take parental leave as whole weeks (for example 1 week or 2 weeks) rather than individual days, unless your employer agrees otherwise or if your child is disabled.
A ‘week’ equals the length of time an employee normally works over 7 days.
Parental leave applies to each child, not to an individual’s job.
Who can take it
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
Notice
Employees must give 21 days’ notice before their intended start date.
For emergencies, see time off for dependants. In Ireland the rules are different: see parental leave in Ireland.
Common questions
How much unpaid parental leave can I take in England?
18 weeks for each child, up to their 18th birthday, with up to 4 weeks a year per child.
Is parental leave paid?
No. Parental leave is unpaid.
Can I take single days?
Usually only whole weeks, unless your employer agrees or your child is disabled.
How much notice do I give?
21 days before the start date.