Family Leave Policy Consultation

The family leave policy has been updated to take account of changes to legislation on paternity leave and carers leave.

The main changes are as follows:

• Maternity support leave can now be taken from 11th week before the EWC and 52 weeks after the birth/placement. Previously this had to be taken within 56 days of the birth.
• Paternity leave can now be taken from the date of birth until 52 weeks after the birth. Previously this had to be taken within 56 days of the birth.
• MSL and Paternity leave can be taken separately, they no longer need to be taken in a 2 week block. Paternity leave must be taken as a block of 1 week, the 1 week MSL can be taken more flexibly.
• The notification periods for applying for paternity leave have changed to 4 weeks notice of each period of leave rather than 15 weeks before the expected week.
• Definition of a dependent has been updated to match government terminology.
• Removed reference to annual leave cards.
• Added statutory carers leave to the planned leave section and added in explanations of the different notice periods and criteria needed for statutory carers leave.