Parental leave regulations in force

Operative from 15 December 1999, parents of children born on or subsequent to that date will be entitled to 13 weeks’ unpaid leave during the first five years – this with 21 days’ notice and in multiples of whole weeks (subject to six months’ postponement where it presents particular problems for the employer). Emergency leave, generally of no more than two days, is also available without risk of dismissal.