The Various Workplace Leaves for Parents
Posted on 30th July 2021 at 10:57
Are you totally confused as to what leave parents are entitled to? You are not alone – employers, employees and the self-employed alike are all confused as to what the leave entitlements are, what the various periods are, whether they are statutorily funded and who is entitled to what.
Parents have a number of different entitlements to leave and they are contained in various pieces of legislation - it can be hard to keep up to date!
This handy table sets out the various leave entitlements and statutory payments (though some employees may be entitled to payment for certain leaves as set out in their employment contracts or company policies):
|
Leave |
Who is entitled to it? |
How long? |
Is it paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maternity leave |
Female employees and self-employed (provided satisfactory PSRI contributions have been made) |
26 weeks and up to 16 unpaid weeks |
Yes, statutory Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks by the State 16 weeks can also be availed of which is unpaid |
|
Adoptive leave |
One parent of the adoptive couple, or a parent adopting alone and self-employed (provided satisfactory PSRI contributions have been made) |
24 weeks and up to 16 unpaid weeks |
Yes, statutory Adoptive Benefit is paid for 24 weeks by the State 16 weeks can also be availed of which is unpaid |
|
Paternity leave |
One parent of a child under 6 months of age, usually the father or the partner of the mother, or in the case of adoption, the parent who is not taking adoptive leave, who is in employment or self-employed (provided satisfactory PSRI contributions have been made) |
2 weeks within the first 6 months of the child being born or placed |
Yes, statutory Paternity Benefit is paid for 2 weeks by the State |
|
Parental Leave |
Both parents of children under the age of 12 |
26 weeks |
No - unpaid |
|
Parent’s leave |
Both parents of children under 2 years of age and parents of adopted children in the first 2 years of the placement of the child, who are in employment or self-employed (provided satisfactory PSRI contributions have been made) |
5 weeks within the first 2 years of the child being born or placed |
Yes, statutory Parent’s Benefit is paid for 5 weeks by the State |
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