Local government parental leave policy

18 January 2023

We developed the following template policies on child-care allowances and parental leave.

As the law stands, elected members are not entitled to statutory ‘parental leave’, as they are not subject to the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. Consequently, any decision to approve parental leave for an elected member is a Council decision. The draft policy clauses below are intended to assist Councils with their decision-making if an elected member seeks a leave of absence for parental leave.

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