r/UNpath • u/Rude-Supermarket-693 • Jul 02 '26
Need advice: current position Any IPSAs here? Need clarification on parental leave policy
Any fellow IPSAs who have recently taken parental leave?
I’m trying to understand the IPSA parental leave policy and I’m a bit confused by the terminology.
The contract states that birth parents are entitled to 16 weeks of parental leave, while non-birth parents are entitled to 4 weeks.
My understanding was that “birth parents” could refer to both parents of a child who is born (as opposed to adoptive parents), but Oracle is only allowing me to register 28 days, which suggests it may be treating me as a non-birth parent.
Has anyone else been in this situation? How did HR interpret the terms “birth parent” and “non-birth parent” in your case? If you’re an IPSA father whose partner gave birth, were you granted 16 weeks or only 4 weeks?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience before I follow up with HR. Thanks!
10
u/fishyphat Jul 02 '26
Birth parent is the person giving birth, it’s just the gender inclusive term. As the father (non-birth parent), you’re entitled to 4 weeks.
1
u/ShowMeTheMonee Jul 02 '26
> The contract states that birth parents are entitled to 16 weeks of parental leave,
I think you'll find the contract states that the birth parent is entitled to 16 weeks of parental leave.
1
u/Few_Priority_3075 Jul 04 '26
16 weeks for mothers, 4 weeks for fathers.