paternity leave

To qualify for paternity leave fathers (natural and adoptive) must be employed by the employer for 26 weeks prior to the 15th week before the date of childbirth. Because the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth is around week 26 of pregnancy, so long as the father worked for the same employer around the time of conception to birth he should be entitled to paternity leave which is currently 2 weeks.

Fathers have to take the leave period in blocks of one or two weeks. Although they do not have to take the leave period immediately, it must be completed by the 56th day after the birth.

To take paternity leave the employer must be given notice of the father’s intentions to take leave by 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.

Fathers may also have a right to take longer unpaid time off work by way of parental leave. .

Statutory paternity pay is paid at the flat rate of £ 117.18 per week, or 90% of the father’s average earnings if they earn less than £117.18 per week.

To qualify for SPP, the father must earn at least £90 per week and give 28 days’ notice of when they would like payment to start and provide a certificate to their employer to confirm their entitlement to payment.

It is up to the employer to decide whether the employee is entitled to SPP but they are required to provide details to the employee if their application fails.