What is parental leave?
Parental leave is targeted towards parents who seek to spend more time with their child or go about other arrangements that concern the child’s welfare (i.e. school or care arrangements). Unlike all other leaves, parental leave is dependant on having a child and not on the applicant’s job.
When can parental leave be claimed & how long does it last?
Duration: 18 weeks per child
Start date: any time from when the child is born/adopted
End date: up until the child’s 18th birthday
Pay rate: unpaid
NOTE – Parental leave can only be taken via four-week blocks with a minimum of one week (per child)
Eligibility requirements
Working for a minimum of one year
Registered on the child’s birth/adoption certificate (or have parental responsibility)
Not classed as self-employed or a worker
The child must be below eighteen years of age
How do I claim parental leave?
To claim parental leave, the employer must be informed 21 days before the intended date on which you would like the leave to commence. Unless specified otherwise, the notice need not be in writing.
Can my request for leave be delayed?
A parental leave request can be delayed in the following circumstances:
If taking the leave would interrupt the functioning of the business
If the leave is being taken by the other parent/partner straight after birth
In cases where the leave is postponed, the employer is obligated to write back to the applicant stating why the request was refused within a week from which the original request was made. Additionally, the employer must further suggest a new start date within 6 months from the date the original request was made.
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