Close
Maternity Leave
A period of up to 52 weeks away from work for a woman who has had or is due to have a baby.
Adoption Leave
A period of up to 52 weeks away from work for the main carer of a baby or child who has been adopted.
Paternity Leave
A period of up to 4 weeks away from work at UCL;
- for the male or female partner of a woman who has had a baby, to support her and the child, or
- for the partner of the main carer who has adopted a baby/child, to support the main carer and the child
Parental Leave
Up to 18 weeks unpaid leave away from work to care for a child, which can be requested by anyone who meets the eligibility criteria. Normally a maximum of 4 weeks can be taken in any one year.
Ordinary Maternity/Adoption Leave (OML/OAL)
The first 26 weeks of a maximum 52 weeks leave.
Additional Maternity/Adoption Leave (AML/AAL)
The last 26 weeks of a maximum of 52 weeks leave.
Additional Paternity Leave (APL)
An extended period of time away from work that can be taken by either;
- the male or female partner of a woman who has had a baby, so long as she has returned to work before exhausting her full entitlement to Maternity Leave, or
- the partner of the main carer who has adopted a baby/child, so long as the main carer has returned to work before exhausting their full entitlement to Adoption Leave
This leave is transferred by the person entitled to additional maternity/adoption leave and is not in addition to this leave.
Occupational Maternity Pay
Up to 18 weeks full pay, which is paid to eligible employees of UCL (regardless of length of service) who take Maternity Leave. This will need to be repaid if an individual decides not to return to work, or chooses to return for less than 3 months.
Occupational Paternity Pay
Up to 4 weeks full pay, which is paid to eligible employees of UCL (regardless of length of service) who take Paternity Leave. This will need to be repaid if an individual decides not to return to work, or chooses to return for less than 3 months.
Occupational Adoption Pay
Up to 18 weeks full pay, which is paid to eligible employees of UCL (regardless of length of service) who take Adoption Leave as the main carer. This will need to be repaid if an individual decides not to return to work, or chooses to return for less than 3 months.
Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay (SMP/SAP)
An amount paid to eligible employees for up to 39 weeks as follows:
- the first 6 weeks - 90% of their average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax
- the remaining 33 weeks – statutory rate or 90% of their AWE (whichever is lower) - You can calculate leave using the Materntity, Adoption, and Paternity Calculator for Employers.
Tax and National Insurance may need to be deducted.
Maternity Allowance (MA)
An allowance which can usually be claimed directly from the JobCentre Plus by an individual who does not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. It is paid for up to 39 weeks at the statutory rate or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). You can calculate leave using the Materntity, Adoption, and Paternity Calculator for Employers.