7.
OUR RIGHT TO POSTPONE PARENTAL LEAVE
7.1
Although we will always try to accommodate your request for parental leave, we might postpone a requested period of parental leave for up to six months where the requested leave would unduly disrupt our business, for example, where:
(a) you wish to take parental leave during a peak period;
(b) a number of employees wish to take leave at the same time;
(c) your work at that time is of importance to a time-critical project; or
(d) cover for your work cannot be found before the date on which your parental leave is due to start.
7.2
If we need to postpone your request for parental leave, we will consult with you about alternative dates. We will notify you in writing of the reason for postponement and the new start and end dates for your parental leave, no more than seven days after receipt of your request for leave.
7.3
We will not postpone parental leave if you have requested it to start immediately on the birth or adoption of a child.
7.4
We will not postpone parental leave if the postponement would result in the leave being taken after the child's 18th birthday.
8.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS DURING PARENTAL LEAVE
8.1
Parental leave under this policy is unpaid. Your contractual provisions relating to pay and benefits are suspended during parental leave.
8.2
However, during parental leave you are entitled to benefit from any terms and conditions in relation to being given notice, redundancy compensation and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Holiday entitlement will continue to accrue. During parental leave you will remain bound by your obligation of good faith towards us, any contractual terms relating to the giving of notice, and any contractual restrictions on the disclosure of confidential information, the acceptance of gifts and benefits, or participation in another business (for example, by working for a third party).
8.3
9.
PENSIONS
9.1
If you are a member of a defined benefit (final salary) pension scheme, a period of parental leave under this policy will count towards your pensionable service.
9.2
If you are a member of a defined contribution (money purchase) pension scheme, we shall not make contributions during a period of unpaid parental leave.
10.
RETURNING TO WORK
10.1
You are normally entitled to return to work following parental leave to the same position you held before commencing leave. Your terms of employment will be the same as they would have been had you not been absent. However, where your period of parental leave has been longer than four weeks, or has been combined with a period of additional maternity, paternity or adoption leave, it might not be possible in some cases for you to return to the same job. In such circumstances, we will offer you a suitable and appropriate alternative position on no less favourable terms.
10.2
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