HR documents and templates

Maternity, paternity, adoption, parental and shared parental leave letters and forms

Guidance

Your responsibilities in relation to rights of working parents - or parents to be - are explained in our maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave section.

Please note: The Employer's Handbook doesn't reflect the latest changes from April 2026 to statutory sick pay from the first day of employment or the extension of Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay to cover miscarriage and early loss during pregnancy. These changes will be made as soon as possible. 

Please refer to our guidance in these areas for the most up-to-date employer information. See understanding statutory sick pay and Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay.

Specific Employers' Handbook guidance

Further best practice advice and practical documents to help you communicate with your workers in respect of their entitlements are included in the Invest Northern Ireland Employers' Handbook including:

Sample employer documents

You can download, customise and use sample documents from the handbook that are relevant to maternity, paternity, adoption, parental and shared parental leave:

For help with administering paternity and adoption leave, use the maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay calculator for employers.

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Section 8: Maternity leave and pay (PDF, 83K)
Section 9: Paternity leave and pay (PDF, 71K)
Section 10: Adoption leave and pay (PDF, 71K)
Section 11: Shared parental leave and pay (PDF, 114K)
Section 12: Parental leave, parental bereavement leave and time off for dependants (PDF, 82K)
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Invest Northern Ireland Employers' Handbook
Statutory leave and pay entitlements
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