Unpaid parental leave.

[SW17]

Hi, after visiting the u.k.gov website I seem to believe that parents are eligable to take up to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave up to their childs 18th birthday, not exceeding more than 4 weeks in a working year.

If this is correct then I presume the leave/weeks id need to take would be my choice as they are unpaid even if the leave spread is full?

[iHateD2Ds]

Wow!
Did not know that.
https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave


I would certainly have put it to use.

[iHateD2Ds]

If this is correct then I presume the leave/weeks id need to take would be my choice as they are unpaid even if the leave spread is full?

It certainly looks like Employer is legally obligated .

Notice periods

Employees must give 21 days’ notice before their intended start date. If they or their partner are having a baby or adopting, it’s 21 days before the week the baby or child is expected.

Employees must confirm the start and end dates in their notice. Unless an employer requests it, this doesn’t have to be in writing.

[POSTMAN]

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/mrm/Bei ... ummary.pdf

[SW17]

This is what I thought but I would like to know if I am able to choose the week/weeks that I want even if the leave is full?

The weeks I would require would be when the schools are on holiday which is the time that goes first on the anuaul leave.

So my main question would be are royal mail obliged to give the weeks we request if the 21 days notice period is given as stated on the u.k.gov website, even if it doesn't suit them, do they have to accept the dates we give them or can they refuse?

I do wonder now if royal mail's "being a parent" pdf has only come about because the law/regulations have changed?

I like the line....
"We know that being a parent brings additional responsibilities, so we try to support
parents to combine work and home life. We have a number of family-friendly policies
that outline the support available"

They make it sound like they are looking after their staff and concerned for there family time but in reality are they not just falling in line with new government regulations?

I'd like to think that being this is unpaid leave we could choose whatever weeks we want, even the christmas/new year week which is another big family time for all.

It would make no sense to use this option while my child is at school but would come in handy for extended family time home or abroad when unable to get the leave I would like.

[jd9442]

Would like to know too

[torres]

Would being a step dad or mum make you qualify for unpaid parental leave

[Woody Guthrie]

Would being a step dad or mum make you qualify for unpaid parental leave

Only if you have legal parental responsibility.

Usually through adoption, a court order or something called a parental responsibility agreement that everyone involved has to sign.

In most cases no.

[POSTMAN]

Has anyone actually tried this yet so we can get the info for others?

[Manutd1]

I successfully applied for this last year! Put it in writing early January, was told my requested week in February was not available but I could have the week before or after off, had to then fill out a 'OTHER TIME OFF (SPECIAL LEAVE) REQUEST' form stating reason for request as 'parental leave' & job done. Was original told they had not heard of parental leave until I referred them to information about this law on the Government website. Was even paid £100 odd for this 'unpaid' week which may well have been some sort of tax refund. I didn't question it & can't say for sure why received but will definitely exercise this right in the future (athough pretty sure will have to remind them of the law again each time lol)

[97gaz]

This is what I thought but I would like to know if I am able to choose the week/weeks that I want even if the leave is full?

"Leave can’t be postponed (delayed) if:

the employer doesn’t have a ‘significant reason’, eg it would cause serious disruption to the business"

I'll be surprised if RM can't justify refusing leave when the leave is full by quoting the above. Not having enough staff to deliver is surely a disruption to the business.

How is your leave allocated? Don't forget seniority is now a No-No. I did the leave at my place for years and parents usually always got their fortnight in the school hols.

[POSTMAN]

I successfully applied for this last year! Put it in writing early January, was told my requested week in February was not available but I could have the week before or after off, had to then fill out a 'OTHER TIME OFF (SPECIAL LEAVE) REQUEST' form stating reason for request as 'parental leave' & job done. Was original told they had not heard of parental leave until I referred them to information about this law on the Government website. Was even paid £100 odd for this 'unpaid' week which may well have been some sort of tax refund. I didn't question it & can't say for sure why received but will definitely exercise this right in the future (athough pretty sure will have to remind them of the law again each time lol)

Thanks mate for the info!

Was original told they had not heard of parental leave...
Sums them up I suppose.