More detail can be found in our Parental Leave policy.

Parental leave is a statutory entitlement that allows parents to take unpaid time off work (up to 4 weeks per year, maximum of 18 weeks) to look after a child* or to make arrangements for a child’s welfare.

*Up to child’s 18th birthday

Process 

  1. Member of staff provides written notification (email/letter) to their Head of Department and HR of their intention to take Parental leave, providing a minimum of 21 days notice.
  2. The notification will include the dates that the parental leave will start and finish. 
  3. You may prefer to discuss this with your line manager and/or HR Business Partner verbally before submitting your notification.
  4. If you require the leave for an emergency situation it may be more appropriate for you to use the Compassionate Leave/Emergency Care of Dependants Leave Agreement. Advice regarding this may be obtained from Human Resources.
  5. Your Head of department will confirm the dates and notify payroll that these dates are unpaid.
  6. In exceptional circumstances where the leave would be “unduly disruptive to the department” the head of department may need to postpone your period of leave for up to 6 months.
  7. In such circumstances the Head of department would discuss this with HR. 
  8. The head of department would then write out to the member of staff to confirm the reason for the postponement, and the new dates of parental leave. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Am I entitled to take parental leave?

You are entitled to take parental leave if you are a parent of the child and have been continuously employed by the University for a period of twelve months before the date your parental leave starts. Please see policy for further details. 

How much parental leave can I take?

If you are eligible for parental leave you are entitled to take up to 4 weeks per year up to child’s 18th birthday. For part time staff the entitlement is pro rated. 

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What can the parental leave be used for?

Parental leave is for the purpose of caring for a child.

Examples of this are:

  • To spend more time with the child in early years
  • To accompany a child during a stay in hospital
  • Checking out new schools
  • Settling a child into new childcare arrangements
  • To enable a family to spend more time together
How do I notify the University?

Confirm in writing to your line manager and HR by email or letter.

When can I take parental leave?

If you are eligible then you can take time off up to the child’s 18th Birthday. 

Will my parental leave be paid?

No, other than immediately following the birth of a child when up to five days paid paternity leave will be granted (note the University’s Paternity Leave Agreement for eligibility and entitlement).

What happens with my annual leave entitlement?

Whilst you are on parental leave:

  • You will retain continuity of employment;
  • You will continue to accrue annual leave entitlement;
  • You will not be entitled to sick pay; If you are sick during parental leave you will not be entitled to extend your parental leave after the agreed end date;
  • Membership of your pension scheme will be suspended. For further information regarding your pension please contact the Pensions and Benefits Officer
My partner/spouse and I work at Aston University, will we both be eligible for parental leave?

If you individually meet the eligibility criteria then you will both be entitled to take parental leave under the scheme. 

Do I have to take the leave as a block of leave?

Parental leave may be taken in single days or in complete weeks. The parental leave year will commence on the date you first commence parental leave.

I require the leave for an emergency do I still need to give 21 days notice?

If you require the leave for an emergency situation it may be more appropriate for you to use the Compassionate Leave/Emergency Care of Dependants Leave. Advice and eligibility regarding this may be obtained from Human Resources.

Will I return to the same job following my parental leave?

At the end of your parental leave you will have the right to return to the job that you were employed in and on the same terms and conditions prior to you commencing parental leave.

Queries about parental leave? 

Contact your HR Business Partner.