Paternity Leave UK: Rules, Pay & Eligibility (2026 Guide)
Employers in the UK must understand the legal framework governing paternity leave to ensure compliance with employment law while supporting employees during the arrival of a new child. Paternity leave provides eligible employees with time away from work following the birth or adoption of a child, allowing them to care for the child and support […]
Time Off for Dependants 2026 (UK): Legal Guide
Employers will often face situations where employees need to take time away from work at very short notice due to family emergencies. One of the most common examples is when an employee must deal with the illness, injury or care needs of someone who depends on them. UK employment law recognises that these situations cannot […]
Shared Parental Leave UK: Employer Guide 2026
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is a statutory employment right in the UK that allows eligible parents to share responsibility for caring for their child during the first year after birth or adoption. Introduced under the Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014, the regime gives families greater flexibility in how they arrange time off work, allowing both […]
Time Off Work for IVF 2026: UK Employer Legal Guide
Time off work for IVF is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of UK employment law. Employers are frequently told that there is “no legal right” to IVF leave, yet tribunal claims arising from the mishandling of IVF-related absences continue to increase. The risk does not arise because the law grants a specific entitlement […]
Statutory Maternity Pay UK 2026: Eligibility, Rates & How It Works
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is one of the most commonly searched employment law topics in the UK. For employees, it determines whether they will receive income during maternity leave and how much they can expect to be paid. For employers, it creates a statutory financial obligation, payroll liability and a series of compliance risks that […]
Adoption Leave: Employers’ Guide
When an employee is going through the process of adopting a child, or having a child through a surrogacy arrangement, they may be eligible for statutory adoption leave and adoption pay, provided they meet the relevant requirements. Most employers are aware of the rights and responsibilities around maternity, paternity and parental leave and pay. What […]
Emergency Leave from Work: Employer’s Guide
It’s a fact of life that employees may need to take time off work at some point to deal with an emergency. This could be time off work for family reasons or time off for medical reasons, or to attend a medical appointment for themselves or accompanying a dependant. Emergency leave from work is a […]
Bereavement Leave 2026: Entitlement, Duration & What You’re Owed
Bereavement leave is a period of absence from work granted to employees following the death of a loved one, to allow them to grieve and manage practical arrangements. When a staff member loses a loved on, employers are in the position of balancing compassion and support while ensuring minimal disruption to operations. This generally means […]
Miscarriage Time Off Work Explained
Miscarriage is a deeply personal and distressing experience, and employers in the UK have an important role in providing support and understanding to affected employees. For employees who have suffered a miscarriage, time off and the support they receive from their employer can be an important part of their recovery. There is, however, no statutory […]
Maternity Leave: Employers’ Guide
Employers have to meet a number of legal responsibilities when an employee is on maternity leave. Managed well, the period of maternity leave can improve morale, provide reassurance to your employees during their absence and contribute to a positive employer brand as a business that values its staff. Failure to meet your obligations and poor […]