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Paternity Leave: Your rights

 
Paternity, leave, your, rights, dads, fathers

Paternity leave is a confusing issue for many of us, and lots of men are unsure as to what they’re entitled to. Here’s how it breaks down in the UK.

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Eligibility

You can take paternity leave if:
a) You have, or expect to have responsibility for the baby's upbringing and are either the baby's biological father or the mother's husband or partner.
b) You have worked continuously for the same employer for twenty-six weeks ending with the fifteenth week before the baby is due (the ‘qualifying week’) and from the fifteenth week before the baby is due up to the date of birth.
c) Your average weekly earnings are at or above the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance at the end of this qualifying week.

Entitlement

Usually you can take one or two weeks' consecutive leave at any time from the baby's birth, although some companies may offer more. You need to take it within 56 days of the baby being born. It’s calculated by birth rather than by child, so you don’t get double for twins!

Letting your company know

You need to let your company know by the end of the fifteenth week before the baby is due, or if you don’t know till later, as soon as you possibly can.

Paternity pay

If you take your paternity leave and you earn above the lower earnings limit, then you’ll receive statutory paternity pay during the leave. It’s currently set at £117.18/week or 90% of your weekly earnings, whichever is lower. You need to give at least 28 day notice to your employer to receive the pay though.

What to do if you have problems

If you are being denied your rights, talk to your employer. If you have an employee representative (a trade union official for example), they may be able to help.

If this doesn't work, you may need to make a complaint using your employer's internal procedure.

If you're still unhappy, you can also make a complaint to an Employment Tribunal.

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