To ask how you use unpaid parental leave

[yoghurtontoast]

Recently found out about unpaid parental leave (statutory right to 18 weeks in total per child, until their 18th bday - maximum of 4 weeks to be used in any year).

I understand it’s unpaid but it still seems ideal. If you only used one week in a month you’d get 75% of your normal pay which is better than maternity pay in any event!

I’m just thinking of how best to use it. I currently just have DD but we’d like another child at some point in the next few years. I’m not sure if I should make the most of it in the next few years while she is little, or save most of it for school years - if you use it what do you do?

I’ve only just started to use mine now DD is mid way through primary. I use it as extra annual leave (albeit unpaid) to cover the school holidays. Previously I didn’t need it so much as I was part time. I’m now full time and in a position financially that I can lose a weeks pay. It’s a bit more than 75% of your pay as there are 52 weeks in the year not 48 and factoring in tax adjustments etc

I only started using it when DS was unable to attend school due to illness from year 8 onwards. I hadn't given it much thought before. Initially, I was allowed to use it to take one day per week off for 10 weeks (using up 2 weeks parental leave) but it is really intended to be taken in 1 week blocks. After that, I tended to use it for planned holidays as they were in full week blocks and it left me with more annual leave to take ad hoc days as and when needed.

My son was home educated in years 10 and 11 so taking unpaid leave along with flexible hours, home working and annual leave allowed me to spend more time with him and support him thoughout his GCSEs. I did take the full 4 weeks those last couple of years but it really was a massive help. I should add, I was able to continue to work full time while home educating as by that age he didn't need looking after and did online courses/self study for most of it. My job was to facilitate and motivate and then pick up on things like exam prep, life skills and PHSE! I didn't use the full 18 weeks in the end because I was late to the party but I was glad to have the option when it was needed, especially as a single parent.