Keeping in touch days

In line with legislation employers need to provide 10 keeping in touch days to employees who are on maternity leave.

There is no obligation on the employees to take up the offer of all or any of the keeping in touch days, but if they do they are entitled to receive payment for any days that are ‘worked’ during the period of maternity leave.  SMP will be included in any payment that is made.  Where a part day is taken as a keeping in touch day, a full day’s salary will be paid.

Keeping in touch days are used to maintain contact with employees who are on maternity leave and to allow them to attend work meetings whilst continuing their maternity leave.

Keeping in touch days are also provided to employees who are on Shared Parental Leave (SPL).  Again there is no obligation to attend work during SPL but if keeping in touch days are taken they are paid at the normal salaried rate of pay inclusive of statutory SPL pay.  With SPL 20 keeping in touch days are available and are in addition to 10 keeping in touch days available during maternity leave.