Parental Leave Guide: Application to Return

Parental Leave: The Company Application and the Benefit Application Are Two Separate Steps

Handle parental leave in four steps: notify your employer, get the confirmation document, file for benefits on Employment24, and confirm your return in writing.

The most common point of confusion with parental leave is that applying to your employer and applying for Employment Insurance benefits are two different processes. People often get company approval and forget the benefit filing, or start on benefit paperwork before the company schedule is settled and tangle things up.

This list lays out both processes in the order you will actually go through them, in eight steps. You tell your employer first, collect the documents, check benefit eligibility, and then move on to reporting during leave and confirming your return. The ranking reflects sequence rather than importance, so you can read from number 1 onward.

How to read this list

If you are just starting to plan leave, read 1 through 3 first.
If you are wondering about benefit eligibility, read 4 and 5.
If you and your spouse plan to share leave, check 6.
If you are already on leave, 7 and 8 apply to you.

Eligibility, duration, and benefit amounts can change with policy revisions, so confirm current rules through Employment24 (고용24) or your HR department right before you apply.

Notify your employer of your intended leave period first

The first thing to settle, before any benefit paperwork, is telling your employer your start date and expected end date. Required notice periods differ by company policy, and your team needs time to cover your work, so give yourself some margin. Pick the period with your childcare plan and your spouse's schedule in mind. HR is the right place to confirm the exact deadline for your workplace.

Confirm the leave application form and internal process

Application forms, approval chains, and submission methods vary by employer. Some use paper forms and others an internal system, so ask HR for the form first. Keep a copy or screenshot of the submitted application and the approval record. That gives you supporting material when you later file for benefits or need to ask about timing. Note the approval date as well, since it often matters downstream.

Track your employer's confirmation document

Filing for Employment Insurance benefits requires a parental leave confirmation issued by your employer. If the company is slow, your benefit filing slips too, so ask right after submitting your application when the confirmation will be ready. Some HR staff have not handled this before, so listing the items you need helps. Forms and submission methods can change, so also check the Employment24 notices.

Look up your Employment Insurance enrollment history and eligibility

Whether you qualify and how much you receive depends on your Employment Insurance enrollment history and personal circumstances. Look up your own record on Employment24 and check for gaps in coverage. If you changed jobs often or had short stints, look more closely. Eligibility rules and payment amounts can change with policy revisions, so recheck anything you have read as of September 2026 right before you apply.

Manage your benefit application timeline on Employment24

Benefit applications go through Employment24, and missing the filing window can delay payment. The guidance screens explain when you can first file after leave begins and how often you refile afterward. Write the planned filing dates on your calendar and screenshot the submission screen and receipt for later questions. If a document is missing you may get a request to supplement it, so check notifications often.

Check the rules for couples sharing leave and any special provisions

Special provisions for couples who take leave together or in turn have changed over time in their conditions and benefits. The safest way to know the current rules is the Employment24 notices or your local employment center. If you plan to use them, line up both partners' timing and duration early. Because a delay at one employer can throw off the whole plan, share your application schedules with each other.

Report any income or employment changes accurately during leave

If you earn other income or your employment status changes during leave, you must report it through the proper procedure. Short-term gigs and freelance income may count, so if you are unsure, ask the employment center before you start. A missed report can lead to repayment demands when benefits are reconciled. Keep a note of the date and nature of any change so you can explain it if asked.

Confirm your return date, role, and working conditions in writing

Before returning, confirm your return date, duties, work location, and hours with your employer in writing. A verbal agreement can blur over time, so an email or document is safer. If you are told you will be placed in a role very different from before, ask HR for the reason, and if it is not resolved you can consult the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Line up childcare and your commute ahead of time too.

How to choose

If this is your first time planning leave, finish the employer-side steps at 1 through 3 first, because a late employer confirmation delays your benefit filing too. If benefits are your worry, look up your enrollment history at 4 to gauge eligibility, then manage your filing schedule with 5.

If you plan to split leave with a spouse, check 6 first, and if you might take a side job during leave, check 7. As your return approaches, put your duties and working conditions in writing as in 8. The information here is as of the time of research and may change, so confirm through official channels such as Employment24 before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to file the company application and benefit application at the same time?

No, they are separate processes. Typically your employer approves your leave first and issues a confirmation document, and then you file for benefits through Employment24.

Where can I check the exact eligibility and benefit amount for parental leave?

Eligibility and payment amounts can change with policy revisions. Check Employment24's official guidance or your local employment center at the time you apply, rather than relying only on a summary like this one.

What if my role or working conditions change after I return from leave?

Confirming your role and conditions in writing before you return reduces the chance of disputes. If you are reassigned in a way that does not match what was agreed, raise it with HR or consult the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

What happens to my benefit filing if my employer is slow with the confirmation?

The benefit application requires a confirmation document issued by your employer, so a slow employer means a slow filing. Ask right after submitting your application when it will be ready, and check progress early.

Can I take a part-time job while on parental leave?

If you earn other income or your employment status changes during leave, you must report it through the proper procedure. If you are unsure whether something counts, ask the employment center before you start.

Is there anything special to know when both parents take leave?

Special provisions for couples taking leave together or in turn can change over time. Check the current rules in the Employment24 notices and coordinate timing with your spouse in advance.

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How to read this list

Notify your employer of your intended leave period firstUpvote

Confirm the leave application form and internal processUpvote

Track your employer's confirmation documentUpvote

Look up your Employment Insurance enrollment history and eligibilityUpvote

Manage your benefit application timeline on Employment24Upvote

Check the rules for couples sharing leave and any special provisionsUpvote

Report any income or employment changes accurately during leaveUpvote

Confirm your return date, role, and working conditions in writingUpvote