Parental leave policy template

Words in [square brackets] are for you to fill in. The policy has every section a real handbook policy has, but no allowances, dates or amounts of its own.

# Parental leave

## Purpose
This policy explains the time off and pay you get when a child joins your family, and the support when you come back.

## Who this covers
[Which employees are eligible, and from when, for example from your first day or after a number of months.]

Every parent is covered: birth parents, partners, and parents through adoption, surrogacy or fostering.

## Time off and pay
| Who | Time off | Pay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Birth parent | [number of weeks] | [paid or unpaid, and at what rate] |
| Other parent | [number of weeks] | [paid or unpaid, and at what rate] |
| Adoption, surrogacy or fostering | [number of weeks] | [paid or unpaid, and at what rate] |

- When it can be taken: [within a number of months of the birth or placement, all at once or in blocks]
- Medical appointments before the birth or placement: [paid time off for appointments]
- Pregnancy loss: [support and time off, for example the same leave as a birth after a number of weeks]

## How to let us know
1. Tell [manager or HR] by [how far ahead of the expected date].
2. Agree your dates and how your work will be covered.
3. [Any form or document needed]

## While you are away
Your benefits [continue, and how]. You can choose [a number of] keeping-in-touch days, which are paid and entirely optional.

## Coming back
You return to the same job, or a similar one if your job no longer exists, on the same terms. [Phased return, flexible hours, a private space and breaks for nursing, or other support.]

## Responsibilities
- **You:** tell us early enough to plan, and confirm your return date.
- **Your manager:** plan cover, keep in touch only as much as you want, and support your return.
- **HR:** explain your options and pay, and apply any government leave or pay schemes.

## Protection from retaliation
Nobody will be treated worse for being pregnant, taking parental leave or asking for flexibility when they come back.

## Where local law differs
If the law where you work gives you more leave, pay or protection, the law applies. These places have their own rules: [list them, or "none"].

## Related policies
Paid time off, Sick leave and Remote work and hours.

## About this policy
Owned by [team or person]. Applies in [countries or states]. We may update this policy and will tell you at least [number] days before a change takes effect. This policy is not part of your employment contract.

## Questions
Contact [team or person] at [email or channel].

Check before you publish

Rules that often catch teams out, by place. They are not part of the policy, and not legal advice.

How to adapt it

• Cover every parent, not only the birth parent, and say how adoption and surrogacy are handled.
• Say whether leave is paid, at what rate and for how long.
• Explain what support there is on return, like a phased return or flexible hours.