Adoption leave and pay

Introduction

If they meet certain qualifying criteria, an employee is entitled to take 52 weeks' statutory adoption leave and receive statutory adoption pay (SAP) for 39 weeks when they adopt a child.

However, the rules are different depending on whether the child is adopted from within the UK or from overseas.

You as the employer pay the SAP but you can reclaim all or most of it from HMRC.

This guide will help you deal with the administration of statutory adoption leave and pay, and understand the employment rights of employees on adoption leave.

It suggests how you could offer enhanced adoption leave and pay arrangements to attract and retain employees.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The right to adoption leave
• Notification and confirmation of adoption leave - UK adoptions
• Notification and confirmation of adoption leave - overseas adoptions
• When adoption leave can begin
• Terms and conditions during adoption leave
• Benefits during adoption leave
• Contact and work during adoption leave
• Employee notification of change of planned return date from adoption leave
• Returning to work from adoption leave
• Adoption leave and protection against detriment or dismissal
• Adoption pay

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