Parental leave changes
Qualifying criteria changes
Parental leave is available to employees who are parents (following the birth or adoption of a child) and who have, or expect to have, legal responsibility for them.
Previously, an employee had to be continuously employed for at least one year before qualifying to take leave.
However, since 6 April 2026, parental leave has become available to employees (with the requisite parental responsibility) from the day they start work (i.e. it has become a day-one right).
There is still no requirement for parental leave to be paid.
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