United Kingdom: online tool launched to ease access to shared parental leave

On 17 June the UK government launched an online tool to provide information to employees as regards their right to “shared parental leave” (SPL). Since its introduction in 2015, the SPL allowance has offered parents the opportunity to share, under certain conditions, the leave taken following the birth of a child (see article n°8254). Working UK parents are currently granted up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay in the first year of their child’s life. The allowance is also granted in the case of adoption and surrogacy. The leave may be taken in multiple blocks and either simultaneously or separately. With the option having enjoyed limited uptake, the new online tool should make the process easier. The site allows parents to check, in a few minutes, whether they are eligible for the SPL, calculate their benefits and download the documents they need to provide to their employers. “This new tool will mean it’s quicker and easier to get that precious time with your baby,” says Paul Scully, the UK’s labour markets minister. The government estimates that up to 8% of couples eligible for the leave allowance have made use of it. However, associations and trade unions estimate that the figure is little more than 4% and are calling for the SPL to be replaced by equal leave for both parents.