SNAK Restaurants Limited T/A McDonald’s

Neonatal Leave Policy

Neonatal care is the care of babies born early, with low weight or who have a medical condition
that requires specialised treatment. If this applies to you as a parent, we understand your
baby is facing very difficult circumstances and particular challenges, and we want to
adequately support you whilst your baby is receiving neonatal care. This is why, if you are
eligible, we will provide you with 12 weeks of neonatal leave. This policy applies to all our
hourly paid people at all levels, and it is regularly reviewed and monitored.

Crucial Bits
We want to assist all our people who are parents of premature and sick babies who need to
spend a prolonged amount of time in neonatal care following birth. We understand that you
want to be with your babies and we want to help alleviate any concerns that you may have in
your ability to do this and manage your job.

This means that:

o You as a parent, will no longer need to rely on taking annual and unpaid leave if your
baby is in hospital.
o It also provides you with additional time away from work, at home with your baby to
make up for the time spent in hospital. o You will not need to use a proportionate
amount of your maternity or paternity leave to care for your baby whilst in neonatal
care and this can instead be used to build a bond outside a medical environment.

Eligibility
To be eligible for neonatal leave you must:

a) be the individual who would have had the main responsibility for caring for the
child following birth had they not been admitted into neonatal care, and
b) have at least 26 weeks’ continuous service at the 15th week before your baby
is due, and
c) have average earnings over a prescribed reference period above the 'Lower
Earnings Limit' set by the government, and
d) you must be one of the following to be eligible:
i) the mother/father of the baby or babies
ii) the mother’s spouse; civil partner or a partner who will be living
with the mother and baby that is in neonatal care in an enduring
family relationship
iii) the intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement (where they are
eligible for and intend to apply for a Parental Order)
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iv) the intended parents in cases of adoption, where the intention was
that the baby or babies would be placed with the individuals that
they have been matched with at birth or shortly after birth.

Neonatal leave

If your baby has spent at least two weeks in neonatal care immediately after birth, you will
receive up to 12 weeks of Neonatal Leave to care for your baby whilst in hospital.

Statutory neonatal pay (SNP)

It depends how long you’ve been working for us as to whether you’ll receive pay for these 12
weeks. The key date is the 15th week before your baby is due (or the date you’re matched with
a child through adoption). If you’ve been working with us for at least 26 weeks by that key
date you’ll be paid Statutory Neonatal Pay (SNP) which is currently £184.03 (*April 2024) per
week for your time off. (You’ll need to be still employed by us on the date your child is born
or placed for adoption and need to earn an average of at least £123 a week).

What further protection do I have if I choose to take Neonatal leave?

Neonatal Leave and Pay is available to mothers, fathers and partners and will not impact from
other family-related leave and pay rights, such as maternity / paternity, and shared parental
leave and pay.

A parent who is on Neonatal Leave would have some additional employment protections,
including the right to not be treated unfavourably, or to be dismissed because they are taking,
or are seeking to take, Neonatal Leave.

Further Support
People Services Helpdesk
For general information and advice on neonatal leave, speak to your People Manager or call
our People Services Helpdesk on 0345 606 0321 or email them at
peopleservices@uk.mcd.com.

Payroll
For any neonatal pay related issues email your Business Manager or People Manager.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

EAP provides 24/7 access to telephone and online advice and support. Information, support
and counselling are available for many common aspects of life, including family issues,
challenging situations, emotional help and advice. Don’t worry using EAP is completely
confidential and free for you.
Simply call 0800 072 7 072 – it’s free, or visit https://axabesupported.co.uk/
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Dr@Hand
It may be difficult to get an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms. We operate
a service that can allow you a consultation with a virtual GP. If you are eligible to AXA PPP
cover you can access this service. Check out the FAQ document and poster available via the
AXA PPP intranet pages for more information and to check if you’re eligible to this service.

FamilyLives.org.uk
This useful website is designed to help anyone caring for a child, with practical advice, a free
parent helpline, email support, live chat, podcasts and e-learning modules.
www.familylives.org.uk

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity works with the whole family, they also provide a transition
service for parents whose babies do recover sufficiently to go home and offer a continued
service at home.
https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/neonatal-support

Please be aware that this policy isn’t contractual and may be amended at any time.
 SNAK Restaurants Limited T/A McDonald’s

Neonatal leave application form

Please complete this form and post / scan to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Name

Address

PS ID

Telephone Number

Email Address

Restaurant / Department
Name
Restaurant / Department
Number
Position

Hourly Paid Start Date

I wish to inform you that

my baby was admitted in
to neonatal care on ( date)
My baby was discharged
from neonatal care on
(date)