Staff Handbook

13.Shared Parental Leave and Pay Shared parental leave gives eligible parents the right to share up to 50 weeks’ leave to care for their new born or newly adopted child. In many cases, parents are also entitled to statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). Eligibility for Shared Parental Leave (SPL) SPL can be used by two people: • the mother/adopter of a child and • either the father of the child (in the case of birth), or the spouse, civil partner or partner of the child’s mother/adopter In order to qualify, both parents must share the main responsibility for the care of their child at the time of the birth or placement for adoption. In addition, if you wish to take SPL the following criteria must be met: • the mother or adopter of the child must be or have been entitled to statutory maternity or adoption leave (see the Maternity and Adoption sections, above), or they must be or have been entitled to statutory maternity or adoption pay or maternity allowance; • the mother or adopter must have ended or given notice to reduce any statutory maternity or adoption entitlements; • you must still be working for the Company at the start of each period of SPL; • you must meet the “continuity test” (see below); • your partner must meet the “employment and earnings test” (see below); and • you must follow the notification procedures (see below). Continuity Test You must have been continually employed by the Company for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth or ending with the week in which you are notified that you have been matched with a child for adoption. Employment and Earnings Test Your partner must have worked for at least 26 weeks during the 66 weeks leading up to the child’s expected due date or the date you/they are notified of a match for adoption purposes. They must also have earned at least the Maternity Allowance Threshold in any 13 of those weeks worked. Shared Parental Leave Entitlement If eligible, you may take up to 50 weeks’ SPL during the child’s first year. The mother or adopter would have an entitlement to 52 weeks’ maternity or

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