What are the paternity leave rights for fathers?

21 October 2015 | Blog, Maternity & Paternity

We get asked HR related questions every day and each week we will be sharing our top question of the week that we have been asked here at The HR Booth.

In this week’s question of the week, Alistair discusses paternity leave.

Question

We have recently had a new appointment start with us and he is asking what happens as his wife is due a baby in November. Could you please give me some information on paternity leave?

Answer

If he has 26 weeks service, 15 weeks before the due date, he will be eligible for shared parental leave where he and his wife can effectively share her maternity leave.  Not many males have taken up this option since this legislation came in during April, but it’s there if he’s eligible.  However, if he has less than 26 weeks service then he will not be eligible for this.

Instead, he will be eligible for 2 weeks paternity leave, which can be taken in blocks of one week and must be taken within 56 days of the birth.  He needs to give details of the dates he wishes to apply for and if he wants to change these he must give you 28 days’ notice.

He will be entitled to be paid Paternity Pay which is currently £139.58 per week.  He can apply for a week’s annual leave and then Paternity Leave, allowing him 2 weeks off but without having to take 2 weeks at the lower rate of pay.  Again, a lot of males tend to use annual leave and not apply for paternity leave due to the pay, but it’s there if he wants to take the time without impacting on his annual leave.

Key thing is to try and get some notice around the dates he wishes to take.

Any issues let me know.

Your Turn

Have any of your staff used shared parental leave since it came into place?

Let us know by leaving a comment.

Related Topics

Jury Service Employer: Do You Have to Give Staff Time Off?

Jury Service Employer: Do You Have to Give Staff Time Off?

Jury service is a civic duty that many employees may be called upon to fulfil during their working lives. As a jury service employer, it’s important to understand your responsibilities when a member of your team is summoned. From navigating time off requests to...

Effective Employee Retention Strategies to Reduce Turnover

Effective Employee Retention Strategies to Reduce Turnover

In today’s competitive job market, businesses of all sizes face the growing challenge of holding onto their top talent. High employee turnover not only disrupts productivity but also comes with substantial recruitment and training costs. That’s why developing strong...

Spring Statement 2025: £625m Construction Industry Training

Spring Statement 2025: £625m Construction Industry Training

Chancellor, Rachel Reeves addressed Parliament yesterday to discuss Government spending plans as part of the Spring statement. Many employers were hoping for a change to the employer national insurance increase, however, original plans sadly remain. This means...

Fixed Term Contract: Can an Employer Terminate It Early?

Fixed Term Contract: Can an Employer Terminate It Early?

A fixed term contract is a common solution for covering short-term needs, such as maternity leave, seasonal work, or specific projects. While these agreements are designed to run for a set period, questions often arise about what happens if circumstances change. Can...

How to Create a Sickness Absence Policy

How to Create a Sickness Absence Policy

A well-defined sickness absence policy is essential for any business. It ensures consistency in managing employee absences, provides clarity for employees, and helps minimise disruption to operations. Dealing with absences correctly and in an appropriate time-scale...

Are you ready to elevate your HR strategies?

Connect with our expert team for tailored solutions and insights. Call The HR Booth at 01383 668178 or reach out via email at info@thehrbooth.co.uk or use the contact form.

Let’s transform your human resources approach together!

Privacy Preference Center