Shared parental leave and pay

If an employee is eligible and they or their partner end maternity or adoption leave and pay (or maternity allowance) early, then they can:

• take the rest of the 52 weeks of leave (up to a maximum of 50 weeks) as shared parental leave (SPL)
• take the rest of the 39 weeks of pay (up to a maximum of 37 weeks) as statutory shared parental pay (ShPP)

A mother must take a minimum of two weeks' maternity leave following the birth (four if she works in a factory).

Download guidance on how parental leave can be shared (PDF, 385K).