Linklaters' UK parental leave policy

We are committed to being an employer of choice for working parents and supporting all our people at every step of their career and personal journey. That’s why we champion best practice through our policies, support and benefits, combined with a culture of agile working for all. We recognise that family dynamics and the needs of our people are continuously evolving, so we regularly review our policies and support in the UK and across our global network. Below are the policies which apply in the UK.

Maternity Leave Policy
  • We offer enhanced maternity pay of 26 weeks at full pay, subject to 12 months’ continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before the Expected Week of Childbirth (EWC).
  • We also offer paid time off to attend antenatal appointments.
New Parent Leave Policy

  • We offer 12 weeks’ leave at full pay to the partner of someone who is having a child, whether by birth or as a result of an adoption, subject to 12 months continuous employment by the end of the EWC, or by the end of the Matching Week. This is inclusive of any statutory paternity leave and pay entitlement.
  • Employees do not need to ask their partner to “give up” any part of their statutory leave entitlements in order to take New Parent Leave.
  • We also offer paid time off to attend up to five adoption and antenatal appointments.
Shared Parental Leave Policy (SPL)
  • If an employee is eligible for Shared Parental Pay, we offer enhanced pay of up to 26 weeks at full pay, subject to 12 months continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before the EWC or by the end of the Matching Week.
  • This is inclusive of any family leave the employee has already taken at their full salary. Therefore, each qualifying parent is entitled to up to 26 weeks’ family leave (e.g a combination of paternity/adoption/maternity/new parent and SPL).
Adoption and Surrogacy Policy
  • We offer enhanced adoption pay of 26 weeks at full pay to all eligible employees, subject to 12 months continuous employment by the end of the Matching Week.
  • We also offer paid time off to attend up to five adoption and antenatal appointments.
Parental Leave Policy

  • We offer 18 weeks’ unpaid leave to parents for each child up until the child’s 18th birthday, subject to 12 months continuous employment at the time the leave is taken.