Definition
A statutory right for eligible employees to take paid time off work to care for a new child or support the birth mother. Eligible employees can take up to two weeks of paternity leave, which must be taken within 56 days of the birth or adoption.
UK Context
Governed by the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002. To qualify, employees must have 26 weeks continuous service by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth. From April 2024, paternity leave can be taken as two separate one-week blocks.
Best Practices
- Communicate the updated 2024 rules allowing split paternity leave to all staff
- Process paternity pay through payroll promptly so employees are not left waiting
- Encourage take-up by fostering a supportive culture around parental leave for all genders
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is statutory paternity pay?
Statutory Paternity Pay is the lower of 187.18 pounds per week or 90% of the employee's average weekly earnings. Some employers choose to offer enhanced paternity pay above the statutory rate.
Can paternity leave be split into separate weeks?
From April 2024, eligible employees can take their two weeks as two separate one-week blocks at any point within the first 52 weeks after birth or adoption, rather than having to take them consecutively.