Family Leave

In addition to new mothers, who are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave, there are other circumstances under which you may have a right to take time off for family reasons.

New fathers (natural and adoptive) or the mother's partner (male or female) have a legal entitlement to two weeks of paternity leave paid at the statutory rate. Although the rights of new mothers are now widely understood among employers, they are often less informed about the rights of fathers and partners.  

You are also entitled to take time off work to deal with unexpected events or emergencies involving your dependants. This is potentially a complicated area .Not all employers have sufficient experience or appreciation of the wide range of events and circumstances that can occur in family life to appropriately grant staff time off in emergencies.  If you have a dispute with your employer over time off for emergencies, or you are unsure about the circumstances under which you may be entitled to take time off, it is recommended that you take legal advice.

In addition, all parents of a child under 5 or a disabled child under 18 are entitled to unpaid parental leave. Each parent is entitled to take 13 weeks parental leave in respect of each child (or 18 weeks for a disabled child who is entitled to disability living allowance).

If you have a problem with you employer regarding family leave please contact us on 0800 916 9060 or e mail enquiries@rjw.co.uk.