Shared Parental Leave - Process Guide for Headteachers - March 2026

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Return-to-Work Date

• The return date is assumed to be the next working day after SPL ends, as confirmed in writing by the Absence Team.
• If the employee wishes to return earlier, they must:
  • Give 8 weeks’ written notice.
  • This counts as one of the three allowed notifications.
• If all three notifications have already been used, managers are not required to accept changes but may do so if reasonably practicable.
• If the employee is unable to return due to illness, normal sickness absence policy applies.