Unpaid parental leave
Delaying leave
Leave can’t be postponed (delayed) if:
- the employer doesn’t have a ‘significant reason’, eg it would cause serious disruption to the business
- it’s being taken by the father or partner immediately after the birth or adoption of a child
- it means an employee would no longer qualify for parental leave, eg postponing it until after the child’s 18th birthday
If it’s postponed, the employer:
- must write explaining why within 7 days of the original request
- suggest a new start date - this must be within 6 months of the requested start date
- can’t change the amount of leave being requested