Shared parental leave (SPL) allows the mother/adopter to choose to bring maternity/adoption leave to an end at any point after the initial two-week compulsory maternity/adoption leave period.
Parents can then choose to split the remaining time (50 weeks) between them. SPL must end no later than one year after the birth/placement.
Up to 37 weeks of Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is available (if eligible may include 22 weeks of Occupational Shared Parental Pay (OshPP)).
The two-week period of paternity leave will continue to be available.
For employees to be eligible to take shared parental leave, both parents must meet certain eligibility requirements. These are set out in detail in the Family Leave Policy (.pdf).