Mums and dads with babies born on or after the 5th of April 2015 can start sharing up to 50 weeks of parental leave, parents to be have to start thinking about what they’re going to do and discussing it with their employers.
Shared Parental Leave (or SPL) will, for the first time in the UK, allow new dads to be entitled to take more time off work than they have been able to in the past.
Are my partner and I eligible?
You can find out by checking this link*
What will we be paid?
The existing right to statutory maternity pay will be transferred to SPL. Mothers currently receive 90% of their normal salary for the first six weeks and then a statutory £138 a week for the next 33 weeks. Fathers will be paid a share of the money depending on how much time they choose to take off.
There are various combinations available to new parents. They can choose to take time off together or alone but are required to give their bosses at least 8 weeks notice of their intentions.
While this gives couples more freedom and control over their family life and indeed their finances, how easily will it transfer into practice?
New families will be able to decide what’s right for them, giving them more control and that’s got to be a good thing surely?
Will you and your partner be choosing Shared Parental Leave? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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