When and how should I tell my employer?

How much notice do I need to give my employer before I take Neonatal Care Leave? 

Notice requirements vary depending on whether you are taking Tier 1 or Tier 2 leave.

Tier 1 (if you take your leave while your baby is receiving neonatal care)

Tell your employer that you intend to take leave:  

• ​​​​​Before you are due at work on your first day of Neonatal Care Leave, or as soon as possible after that
• On a weekly rolling basis for as long as you are entitled to take leave in Tier 1
• You and your employer may agree to waive the notice period 

Tier 2 (If you take your leave when your baby has been discharged)

Notice must be given in writing. You need to give:  

• 15 days’ notice for 1 week of leave
• 28 days’ notice for 2 or more consecutive weeks of leave
• You and your employer may agree to waive the notice period 

When I give notice, what do I have to tell my employer?  

You will need to tell your employer that you intend to take Neonatal Care Leave before you are due back at work (see How much notice do I need to give my employer before I take Neonatal Care Leave?) and you will need to provide:

• Your baby’s date of birth, or date of adoption
• The dates your baby or babies started receiving neonatal care
• If your baby  your baby or babies is no longer receiving neonatal care, and the date (or dates) that it ended
• The date you wish the period of leave to start 
• Confirm you are taking leave to care for your baby
• If this is the first time your are giving notice to your employer, you will need to confirm that you meet the criteria for ‘parent’

This is a self-declaration to take Neonatal Care Leave, there is no form to fill in. If you also qualify, and wish to claim, Neonatal Care Pay you will need to fill in a declaration form.