Employees taking time off work to adopt a child or have a child through surrogacy in UK may qualify for Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay.
There are specific guidelines on how and when to claim this paid leave, as well as the option to change the dates.
It may also be possible for employees to take Shared Parental Leave and Pay. Statutory Adoption Leave lasts for 52 weeks, which is composed of 26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave.
Employees eligible for adoption leave may also be eligible for paid leave to attend up to five adoption appointments after being matched with a child.
Only one member of a couple can take adoption leave, with the other partner being able to take paternity leave instead.
Further, employment rights are protected while on Statutory Adoption Leave, which includes entitlements such as pay raises, accruing holiday time, and the ability to return to work.