Parental Leave policies
Maternity and Other Family Leave Guidelines
Information about pregnancy during coronavirus can be found in our Pregnancy and Coronavirus FAQs [DOC 49KB] document.
The University has a Code of Practice [PDF 95KB] which includes information for managers about a range of provisions:
- Ante-natal leave
- Adoption leave and pay
- Compassionate leave for family and other reasons
- Maternity leave and pay
- Paternity leave
- Unpaid parental leave
- Unpaid time off for dependants
Please note that from 14th February 2022 the Special Leave Policy and Procedure replaces the following family leave included within the Maternity and Other Family Leave Provisions Code of Practice:
- Unpaid Time off for dependants
- Compassionate and other leave for family reasons
All other provisions within this Code of Practice still apply and the Code will be updated shortly to reflect these changes.
In addition the University has produced guides for staff on the following topics:
- Employee Guide to Maternity Leave [PDF 178KB]
- Employee Guide to Adoption Leave [PDF 260KB]
- Employee Guide to Paternity Leave [PDF 114KB]
- Shared Parental Leave and Pay Guide [PDF 904KB]
- Family Leave Addendum - Research Funded Positions [DOC 67KB]
- Feeding and Expressing Milk Statement [PDF 474KB]
Shared Parental Leave Guidelines
Please read the documents below for advice and guidance on the new Shared Parental Leave scheme which was introduced in April 2015. Shared Parental Leave is quite a complex process which involves a number of different elements that interact including maternity leave and pay and leave and pay taken by your partner. Therefore please speak to a member of the HR team before making any plans or commitments in relation to Shared Parental Leave to ensure you fully understand your entitlement.
Please see below all of the relevant forms should you wish to submit a request for Shared Parental Leave:
- Form 1 - Notice to end Maternity or Adoption Leave [DOC 69KB]
- Form 2 - Notice of Entitlement and Intention to take Shared Parental Leave [DOC 75KB]
- Form 3 - Notice of a Period of Shared Parental Leave [DOC 71KB]
- Form 4 - Variation to a Period of Shared Parental Leave [DOC 69KB]
Risk Assessment
If you are pregnant, you and your manager will need, early in the pregnancy, to review together:
- the health and safety risk assessment for your work and workplace; and
- how you may be affected while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Use the Queen Mary Pregnancy Risk Assessment Form and Guidance V4 - April 2022 [DOC 100KB] to do this.
Fertility Treatment Guidelines
The University recognises the physical and emotional stresses of undergoing fertility testing and treatment and wishes to support those staff who are going through the process. Our Fertility Treatment Policy is intended to assist eligible staff members in the logistical and emotional aspects of undergoing treatment.
Further details can be found in the guidelines Queen Mary Fertility Guidance [PDF 205KB].
If you have any questions about these policies and guidelines, you are advised to contact the HR Adviser for your Faculty.
Parental Leave at Queen Mary
Shared Parental Leave
Angus Cameron is a Senior Lecturer in Tumour Biology in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Angus took Shared Parental Leave with his third child, Edie, in 2018, while his wife Amy returned to work as a science teacher.
Read more about Angus' experience of Shared Parental Leave in 'My Experience of Shared Parental Leave [PDF 410KB].'