Associate Handbook 2018

Associates must provide evidence of the age of the child (birth certificate) for whom parental leave is being taken and/or evidence of the Associate’s responsibility (or expected responsibility) to the child (including the start of placement of an adopted child). Associates must agree the parental leave with their Manager and give written notice of their intention to take parental leave at least 21 days prior to the commencement of such leave, specifying the dates on which the period of leave is to begin and end. A maximum of four weeks per year can be taken. Any period of parental leave taken during any previous employment will be taken into account in calculating the entitlement to parental leave in respect of that child during the Associate’s employment with the Company. Any week or part of a week shall constitute a full week for the purposes of calculating that maximum entitlement, except in the case of an Associate with a disabled child, in which case leave can be taken in blocks of a day or more, pro-rated as appropriate for part-time employees. Parental leave will only be given where the appropriate notice has been given. The Company reserves the right, in certain circumstances, to postpone parental leave. Associates will be given notice of postponement, reason therefore, together with alternative dates.

Parental leave for part-time Associates is on a pro-rata basis.

Claiming parental leave dishonestly

If an Associate claims parental leave dishonestly it will be treated as a disciplinary matter and will be dealt with in accordance with the Company Disciplinary Policy.

Contractual rights during parental leave

During parental leave the Associate’s contract will continue but there are very few contractual obligations which operate during this period. There is no statutory or contractual right to receive salary during parental leave.

Right to return to job after leave

Where the parental leave period is 4 weeks or less;

 The Associate shall return to the job in which they were employed before the absence (unless they took leave immediately after taking additional maternity leave)

Where the parental leave period is 4 weeks or less immediately after taking additional maternity leave;

 The Associate shall return to the job in which they were employed before the absence unless:

o it would not have been reasonably practicable for the Associate to return to that job if they had returned at the end of their additional maternity leave; and

o it is not reasonably practicable to permit the Associate to return to that job at the end of their parental leave period