From 6 June 2023, employers will be required to consult effectively if they intend to refuse a request to extend unpaid parental leave (noting an employee taking 12 months unpaid parental leave can request an extension of a further 12 months leave, unless their partner has already taken 12 months of leave).
In addition, employers will be required to respond to a request within 21 days and, in the event of a refusal, must do these three things:
- explain the reasonable business grounds for refusal;
- set out what period of extension would be granted (if any);
- explain the employee’s right to challenge the refusal.
Is your management team across and ready to contend with the impacts of these changes? We are here to help.
