What is Shared Parental Leave?
You and your partner could be able to share the time off taken to look after your baby when it’s born, giving you more flexibility around your work commitments. This is called Shared Parental Leave (SPL).
You and your partner can choose how much leave you each take to make up the 52 weeks entitlement.
You also have the right to split your SPL in up to three blocks, separated by periods of work, so you don’t need to take it all at the same time.
Am I eligible for Shared Parental Leave?
To claim Shared Parental Leave, both you and your partner must both qualify separately.
Both you and your partner must have worked for your respective employers for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date.
You must both stay with your employers whilst you take Shared Parental Leave.
Shared Parental Pay – How much do I get?
When you take Shared Parental Leave you’ll get £139.58 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). This is the same as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) except that during the first six weeks SMP is paid at 90 per cent of whatever you earn (with no maximum).
How do I apply for Shared Parental Leave and Shared Parental Pay?
To claim Shared Parental Leave and Shared Parental Pay, you can download and complete the forms here
