Essential points

  • The Maternity Protection Acts 1994 to 2002 provide protection for employees on maternity leave. 
  • The entitlements under the Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005 broadly mirror those of the maternity legislation.
  • Under the Paternity Leave and Benefits Act 2016, a relevant parent is entitled to two continuous weeks' paid leave. 
  • The Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 gives each parent of a young child the right to parent's leave and a corresponding social insurance benefit called Parent's Benefit.

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Please note

​While every care has been taken in compiling this content, the CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.

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