The new Shared Parental Leave and Pay legislation will enable eligible parents (including adopters) to share a period of leave and pay following the birth or placement of their child. The new provisions apply to parents whose children are due to be born or adopted on or after 5 April 2015. Shared Parental Leave (SPL) may be taken by each parent separately or together at the same time.

To view the University of Kent policy and procedure on Shared Parental Leave, and other family friendly provisions, please click here.

Additional paternity leave will now be replaced by the new shared parental leave. Staff member’s existing rights to maternity leave, ordinary paternity leave and parental leave will remain unchanged (although please note that entitlements to parental leave have increased to parents with children up to the age of 18).

Further information can be found on the government website.

Staff and line managers should speak to their relevant HR Advisor if they require further information.