(1) While absent from work on adoptive leave, an employee -

(a) shall be deemed to have been in the employment of the employer, and

(b) shall, subject to subsection (6) and section 17, be treated as if the employee had not been so absent,

and the absence shall not affect any right of the employee related to the employment (other than the right to remuneration during the absence), whether conferred by statute, contract or otherwise.

(2) While absent from work on additional adoptive leave an employee -

(a) shall be deemed to have been in the employment of the employer, and

(b) shall, subject to subsection (6) and section 17, be treated as if the employee had not been so absent,