Acas publishes guide ahead of introduction of shared parental leave

Acas has published a new guide on shared parental leave ahead of the introduction of the new right from April next year.

The guide, which can be viewed here, covers:

• Introduction;
• Steps for an employee;
• Steps for an employer;
• Considerations during shared parental leave;
• Other key considerations;
• Further advice and support.

Under the new system, a pregnant woman will continue to have access to 52 weeks of maternity leave and 39 weeks of pay as she does currently but from 5 April 2015, working families will have the opportunity to share this leave.

Couples finding out now that they are expecting a child will be among the first parents eligible to take advantage of the new rights.

The Government estimates that there will be around 285,000 working couples who will be eligible to share their leave when the legislation comes into force.

Shared parental leave can be taken in several blocks, Acas pointed out. “Eligible parents will be able to make use of a mixture of weeks of work and leave in the first year of their child’s life, returning to work between periods of leave if they wish. A parent with a partner who adopts a child will have the same rights, as will intended parents in surrogacy.”

Acas Head of Guidance, Stewart Gee, said: "Our guide was produced with input from large and small employers, family groups and trade unions and is designed to ensure working parents and employers alike can understand the new shared parental leave arrangements.

"We advise employers and employees to start early with discussions to ensure that they can agree the sort of arrangements which work best for business and working families."