Doesn't parental leave only apply to childen born after 15 December 1999?

When the UK Government first introduced the right to parental leave, they stipulated that it only applied to children born on or after 15th December 1999. This meant that parents of children under five at the time, born before that date, would lose out. However, following legal action taken by the TUC, the Government amended this decision.

The new rules state that if your child was born or is placed with you for adoption between 15th December 1994 and 14th December 1999, you can take your leave up to 31st March 2005.

This applies even if your child is more than five years old or it is more than five years since the adoption took place. In these circumstances, if you have not worked for your current employer for a year, then a year's service between 15th December 1998 and 9th January 2002 with a previous employer (who was not your employer on 9th January 2002) is regarded as sufficient service for you to qualify for parental leave.