{"product_id":"parental-leave-policy-checklist-2026","title":"Parental Leave Policy \u0026 Checklist 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Practical Policy Guide and PM Checklist for Managing Parental Leave in an Australian Dental Practice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003eA team member walks into your office and tells you she is pregnant. It is wonderful news — and it immediately raises a list of questions you need to get right. What are her entitlements? What notice is required? How do you manage cover? What happens when she wants to come back part-time? What do you need to document?\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eParental Leave Policy \u0026amp; Checklist 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e is a practical policy guide and step-by-step PM checklist for managing parental leave in an Australian dental practice — from the moment a team member notifies you through to their first week back at work. Covering NES entitlements, Government Paid Parental Leave, notice requirements, Keep In Touch days, cover planning, flexible working requests, and return-to-work planning — all in plain language, with a complete checklist the PM can work through systematically.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003eThe document is structured across 3 parts:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 1 — Overview and Legal Framework\u003c\/strong\u003e A clear summary of the legal framework governing parental leave in Australian dental practices — the National Employment Standards (NES) under the Fair Work Act 2009, the Government Paid Parental Leave (GPPL) scheme, and the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Includes a plain-language summary table of key entitlements: unpaid parental leave (up to 12 months, with the right to request a further 12), Government Paid Parental Leave, secondary carer leave, the right to return to the same or equivalent role, Keep In Touch (KIT) days (up to 10 days of paid work during leave by mutual agreement), and flexible working arrangement requests. Includes an important reminder: parental leave law changes regularly — the GPPL scheme was significantly reformed in 2024 — and current entitlements should always be verified with Services Australia and the Fair Work Commission before making decisions about a specific employee.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 2 — Practice Parental Leave Policy\u003c\/strong\u003e A ready-to-complete practice parental leave policy covering the practice's approach, notice requirements (written notice at least 10 weeks before the expected birth or placement date, with medical certificate), and a practice-paid parental leave section the PM can complete to reflect the practice's own position. Includes a practical note on the retention value of offering even a small period of practice-paid parental leave on top of the government scheme — and why it matters in a competitive dental employment market.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 3 — PM Parental Leave Checklist\u003c\/strong\u003e A complete, stage-by-stage checklist covering every action the PM needs to take from notification through to the team member's first week back. Five stages: on notification of pregnancy or parental leave (including the important first step — congratulate warmly before discussing any operational matters), 8–10 weeks before leave commences (cover recruitment, knowledge transfer, systems handover, annual leave and superannuation arrangements), on the first day of leave (farewell acknowledgement, HR records, cover briefing, communication preferences), during the leave period (appropriate contact, KIT days, return-to-work planning), and return to work — 4 weeks before and first week back (role confirmation, flexible working request response, return-to-work check-in). Includes a parental leave record template to document the full leave period for each employee.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWho this is for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Practice Managers managing a team member's parental leave for the first time and wanting a clear, compliant process to follow. Experienced PMs who want a documented policy and checklist to replace an ad hoc approach. Practice Owners who want confidence that parental leave is being managed fairly, legally, and in a way that supports both the employee and the practice.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e📄 Format: 5-page editable Microsoft Word document (.docx) — complete the practice-specific fields with your practice name, PM name, and practice-paid parental leave position. The checklist is designed to be printed and worked through for each individual parental leave event.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e⬇️ Instant digital download — available immediately after purchase\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words\"\u003e🦷 Built for Australian dental practices — references the NES, the GPPL scheme, and the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. General guidance only — not legal advice.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Resolve Dental Consultancy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53878363554156,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9657\/6876\/files\/lifestyle_hr_contract_signing_54d61afc-05d6-4e97-bd2f-cf0160e52e79.png?v=1780301246","url":"https:\/\/www.resolvedentalconsultancy.com.au\/products\/parental-leave-policy-checklist-2026","provider":"Resolve Dental Consultancy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}