We offer generous maternity, adoption, paternity/partner, surrogacy and shared parental leave schemes so you can focus on those important first precious weeks of parenthood.

• Maternity/Birthing parent leave - up to 52 weeks leave with up to 22 weeks at full pay*
• Paternity/Partner's leave - up to 2 weeks leave with up to 2 weeks at full pay*
• Shared Parental leave - flexibility to share up to 50 weeks leave after the birth or adoption of a child with up to 20 weeks at full pay*
• Adoption leave - up to 52 weeks leave with up to 22 weeks at full pay*
• Parental leave - up to 18 weeks unpaid leave during the period ending with the child's 18th birthday

*Subject to qualifying periods of service and return to work.

We understand that life can be tricky sometimes and urgent personal situations occur. We will work with individuals to help provide time, space and flexibility to support them through difficult times. Leave of 1-6 days will be given on an individual basis for personal situations relating to serious illness, family issues and bereavement.

From 2015, as part of our commitment to Athena Swan, Lancaster University established a University-wide Parental/Adoption Research Support (PARS) Scheme (formally known as Maternity/Adoption Research Support (MARS)), to provide additional funding to help and support academic and research staff taking maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave in order to prevent or minimise disruption to their research.

In 2021, the Scheme has been expanded to provide an opportunity for academic and research staff to utilise PARS funding on return from their period of leave, to ensure continuity of research and adjustment from the break.

Parental/Adoption Research Support (PARS) Scheme (internal link for staff only)

The university offers a range of family-friendly Flexible Benefits including:

• Family dental insurance packages
• Childcare salary sacrifice scheme for the University Pre-School
• Accessible parking permits

Flexible Benefits (internal link for staff only)

Lancaster University’s success depends on the talented, creative and committed people who work hard to make this University so special and distinctive. The University makes a range of professional support available to our staff, including through the Employee Assistance Programme, and some of the help available is shown on our Staff wellbeing pages.

Employee Assistance Programme (internal link for staff only)

Lancaster University is committed to supporting opportunities for our staff to achieve a balance between work and home life where possible.

• Our staff receive 39 days off a year which includes university closure days at Easter and Christmas and bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff).
• We recognise the importance of a work-life balance and that the ability to work flexibly can provide an effective way for staff to manage the responsibilities of work and home, including caring responsibilities, dealing with health issues, disability or preparation for retirement. All requests will be fairly considered. All employees with 26 weeks continuous service can apply for flexible working.
• Opportunities to purchase up to two weeks additional annual leave per year.

Flexible working policy

The University provides support and guidance to students who wish to take maternity leave, paternity/maternity support leave, shared parental leave or adoption leave. Postgraduate research students may be entitled to paid maternity/adoption/parental support leave.

Parental leave and suspension of studies | ASK - Lancaster University

The University provides support and guidance to students who are parents or carers such as family friendly study spaces, bursaries, and Individual Learning Support Plans.

Support for students who are parents or carers | ASK - Lancaster University

Lancaster has a range of specialist support services that work in partnership with academic departments and colleges to offer support to our students.

Student wellbeing and support page