Parental Leave Policy

The right to parental leave is a statutory right, introduced by the Employment Relations Act 1999 and the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999.

The right is to a total of 13 weeks' unpaid leave for the purpose of caring for a child. An additional 5 weeks shall be granted to those with responsibility for a child for whom Disability Living Allowance has been claimed. In its widest sense caring for a child may be viewed under the regulations as allowing parents to spend more time with their children when they are young and to relieve some of the stresses of working and caring.

Employees may, however as an alternative to Parental Leave, wish to consider applying for Carer's Leave which is paid.

Salford City Council has developed a procedure for the granting of parental leave which it is intended should be applied to all employees of the authority (excluding teachers who are covered by their own in school arrangements). It is vital that the procedure for the granting of parental leave is applied consistently, fairly and sensitively to all groups of employees.