Shared parental leave and pay

How shared parental leave and pay can be taken

Guide

If an employee is eligible and they or their partner end maternity or adoption leave and pay (or maternity allowance) early, then they can:

  • take the rest of the 52 weeks of leave (up to a maximum of 50 weeks) as shared parental leave (SPL)
  • take the rest of the 39 weeks of pay (up to a maximum of 37 weeks) as statutory shared parental pay (ShPP)

A mother must take a minimum of two weeks' maternity leave following the birth (four if she works in a factory).

Download guidance on how parental leave can be shared (PDF, 385K).