We are sharing this update from ACCA, our professional body, for the interest of clients and contacts. The content is (c) ACCA

Prospective parents in work will welcome a new online government tool that they can use to check whether they are entitled to shared parental leave and pay and, if so, how much

It takes five minutes to use the tool. Users can also download all the paperwork they need to fill in and pass on to their employers to exercise their entitlement.

Under the shared parental leave rules new parents are entitled to share up to 50 weeks’ parental leave, and up to 37 weeks’ pay, during their child’s first year. The entitlement also applies on adoption.

The new tool aims to encourage take-up of shared parental leave rights, which is currently low. Expectant parents can access the new shared parental leave and pay tool on the GOV.UK website.