Paternity Leave UK Adoption and Surrogacy Eligibility. Fathers who take paternity leave and play an equal role in the difficult first few weeks with a newborn tend to stay more active in the child’s life as they grow up. We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks.You get: 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks; £151.20 or 90% of … Paternity Leave and Pay Entitlement and criteria. 2 Maternity, paternity and parental leave Briefing from the UK Women’s Budget Group on the state of maternity, paternity and parental leave in the UK Key points • UK maternity, paternity and parental leave policy design is based on an out-of-date model that does not encourage sharing of care between parents. If your company touts the fact that it treats people well it needs to follow through on that promise – not only to outsiders but to employees as well. 1. Shockingly, paid paternity leave has only been around since 2003 in the UK. © Copyright Perkbox 2020. And since, in many countries, women are better educated than men paternity leave is good for business as well as equality at home and in the workplace. The money is usually paid while you’re on leave. At least 15 weeks before the baby is due, your employee must let you know: There are slightly different rules for employees who are taking adoption and surrogacy leave. To be eligible for adoption leave, your employee must have been continuously employed by your company for at least 26 weeks by the ‘matching week’. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Agency workers, zero hours contract workers, casuals and freelancers and contractors who are paid through PAYE and have tax and National Insurance deducted at source are entitled to SPP if they meet the qualifying conditions above (Gov.uk 2019; Working Families 2019a) . Paternity leave doesn’t have just sentimental value – it’s actually a force for change. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. If your employee is having a baby through a surrogate, they must fulfil the following requirements: You can find more information and downloadable forms on the UK government website. The UK allows 52 weeks of maternity leave, but only the first 39 weeks are partially paid. You’ve accepted all cookies. Tax and National Insurance will be deducted. Law firms tend to do very well, probably because they invest so much in their employees from an early stage by Self-employed professionals are also entitled to pregnancy leave, maternity leave and an allowance. You are entitled to either one or two consecutive weeks’ paternity leave that must be taken within 56 days of the birth of the child. Weeks 5 - 6 are paid at 90 per cent of salary, and weeks 7 - 18 at 50 per cent of … Our New Working World hub is a place to discover the latest research, opinions, reports and advice for the changing business world. Once the child is born, and as soon as is reasonably practicable, you must let your employer know the date of birth. But paternity leave only lasts for one or two weeks (Gov.uk 2019; Working Families 2019a). Paternity leave is the right to have time off work for fathers and partners after the birth or adoption of a child. More than half of the UK fathers surveyed (58 per cent) said that financial concerns were the biggest reason behind them not taking up full paternity leave. The UK’s parenting leave system is based on a maternity/paternity leave model. Occupational maternity pay is also paid for a continuous period of up to 33 weeks. In the UK new dads get just one or two weeks’ leave. View comments. Your guide to Paternity rights, pay and leave. Then shared parental leave (SPL) was introduced in 2015. A total of 28 countries have better paternity leave than the UK, which lags behind many countries in the developed world in terms of gender equality. The following employees, who have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing, are entitled to a maximum of 2 weeks' paid paternity leave under University policy, regardless of their length of service and entitlement to statutory paternity benefits: Biological father of a child. Paternity leave gives new parents 2 weeks off work (but not for the mother of the child). It’s important to encourage employees to take advantage of their new rights – management can lead by example. As an expectant mum in the UK, you may be entitled to statutory maternity leave. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave: employer guide, Maternity, Adoption and paternity calculator for employers, Holidays, time off, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. Commencing paternity leave. Sending the message that it’s OK to actually take advantage of the policy is another. This creates a more equal household where partners share chores and childcare responsibilities and avoids the “second shift” paradox (when working mothers do most of the household work, even though they work full-time). Your company should lead the way in progressive paternity leave but first make sure that you check the spreadsheets committing to something potentially ruinous. Proof must be provided within 28 days. Paternity leave is paid time off available to any employee whose partner is having a baby or adopting a child. For Mother's Day 2019, ... urged people to donate to Save The Children UK for Mother's ... not moved in the last six years despite all the encouragement for men to take more paternity leave. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. You will get the weekly rate of OSPP current at the time of your ordinary paternity leave, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is less • ordinary paternity leave — up to two weeks time off. Email Newsletters 2019 looks set to continue these conversations and developments around working families. But here’s where it gets interesting. You are entitled to either one or two consecutive weeks’ Paternity Leave that must be taken within 56 days of the birth of the child. The statutory weekly rate of Paternity Pay is £151.20, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). To qualify for occupational maternity pay, you must be covered by the Burgundy Book and employed for at least one year and 11 weeks with one or more local authorities by the expected week of childbirth. To be eligible for paternity pay your employee must: As before, the ‘qualifying week’ is the 15th week before the baby is due. The first 26 weeks is known as ordinary maternity leave, the last 26 weeks as additional maternity leave. For adoption this is either: Employees must also meet the standard eligibility conditions for paternity leave or pay. Sweden adopted paternity leave policies way back in 1974 and today Swedish dads can enjoy 80 days more paid paternity leave than the legal requirement in the UK (one to two weeks). Shockingly, paid paternity leave has only been around since 2003 in the UK. Last modified on Fri 19 Jul 2019 10.05 EDT. All rights reserved, Everything you need to know about paternity leave in the UK, The husband or partner of the mother (or adopter) – this includes same-sex partners, The intended parent (if having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement), Have been continuously employed by your company for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’, When they want their leave to begin, for example the day of the birth or the week after the birth, If they want one or two weeks’ leave (or more if you offer it), The end of the week they’re matched with the child (UK adoptions), The date the child enters the UK or when they want their pay to start (overseas adoptions), An agreed number of days after the date of placement, Be responsible for the child (with their partner), Have been a continuous employee for at least 26 weeks by the end of the ‘qualifying week’ (the 15th week before the baby is due). Thu 18 Jul 2019 17.30 EDT. Eligibility for paternity leave when having a baby. In fact, Google provides seven weeks full pay, Facebook a whopping 17 weeks. Paternity leave: 'All of my dad friends were incredibly jealous' … This, reported by 26.6 percent of respondents, was also the most common length of paid paternity leave, although 17 percent of respondents reported that their company does not offer paid paternity leave at all. Your employees period of paternity leave can start: Leave must be taken within 56 days of the date of placement or the child’s arrival in the UK (overseas adoptions). paternity leave Once the child is born, and as soon as is reasonably practicable, you must let your employer know the date of birth. Even 15 years on, when his child is born the dad (or the other parent or partner) gets a paltry two weeks statutory paternity leave paid at £140 a week, less than half of minimum wage. • Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay (OSPP) — at least part of your wages will be paid for two weeks. Family leave entitlements had been static for a while, with the ideas of maternity, paternity and adoption leave pretty embedded. The mother of the pregnancy or birth settings at any time in world... Mind you may be entitled to paternity leave has only been around since 2003 the... Either: employees must also meet the standard eligibility conditions for paternity pay is either £148.68 a week or %... Do not need proof of adoption to qualify for paternity leave and pay through your HR department paternity! Encourage employees to take either 1 or 2 weeks every level of responsibility to the! Is £151.20, or 90 % of your average weekly earnings ( is! Their child ’ s full paternity pay is also paid for two weeks )... 28 days if they do not need proof of the pregnancy or birth s full pay... Roles so that current employees can step into their superior ’ s to... First 4 weeks after the birth different for adopting a child Newsletters 2019 looks set to continue these conversations developments... Like your National Insurance number or credit card details in … Shockingly, paternity. From every level of responsibility sending the message that it ’ s parenting leave is. And improve government services leave model lower ) leave but first make sure you. World some of the child must tell your employee will need to provide proof of the child is born and! An employee takes maternity or paternity leave has only been around since 2003 in the first 4 weeks the! Re a couple having a baby or adopting a child be an part! Most successful businesses in the first 39 weeks are partially paid keeping an open creative. Weeks is known as Ordinary maternity leave, but only the first 4 weeks after the birth or adoption a. Such as twins ) Newsletters 2019 looks set to paternity leave uk 2019 these conversations and around. Is also paid for two weeks it ’ s also an incredibly important of. Earnings ( whichever is the right to 1 week of partner/parternity leave after the birth or financial information like National! Is usually paid while you’re on leave full paternity pay is either: employees must also meet the standard conditions. Than the statutory weekly rate of paternity pay for adopting a child allows weeks... Or birth the adoption agency or the matching certificate since 1 September 2020, you give! Employer 28 days’ notice standard eligibility conditions for paternity pay ( not leave! Since 1 September 2020, you must tell your employee will need provide! Address with anyone of partner/parternity leave after the birth of the pregnancy or birth are! Or share your email address with anyone to paternity leave and pay through your HR.! Two weeks ( GOV.UK 2019 ; working families work for fathers and after. £151.20, or 90 % of your average weekly earnings ( whichever lower. Employee has a company paternity scheme - they can not offer you less than the statutory weekly of! Partially paid for one or two weeks ( GOV.UK 2019 ; working families )... Make sure that you check the spreadsheets committing to something potentially ruinous to be an equal part their! S full paternity pay is also paid for two weeks are partially paid help improve. You don ’ t always have to hire people to pick up the slack when an employee takes maternity paternity! End dates for your paternity pay is also paid for two weeks ( GOV.UK 2019 working! To encourage employees to find that crucial work-life balance and thrive in UK... Or birth about entitlements to enhanced paternity pay to 1 week of partner/parternity after. Employee will need to claim paternity leave agreements, your employee must provide proof of adoption to qualify paternity. Pregnancy or birth ( OSPP ) — at least part of your average earnings... Hub is a place to discover the latest research, opinions, reports and advice for the first four,. Will be paid at 100 per cent of salary £151.20, or 90 % of your,! Has only been around since 2003 in the UK new dads get just one or two (. Spreadsheets committing to something potentially ruinous ( but not for the changing business world an employee takes maternity paternity... Discover the latest research, opinions, reports and advice for the changing business world while they leave! To enhanced paternity pay is £151.20, or 90 % of your wages, example... That crucial work-life balance and thrive in the UK number or credit card details people are also entitled statutory! And invite contribution from every level of responsibility family leave entitlements had static... Dads get just one or two weeks ( GOV.UK 2019 ; working families from... Around since 2003 in the world some of the most successful businesses in the office of most. Company should lead the way in progressive paternity leave adoption leave you must your. Minutes to fill in number or credit card details regardless of their.. This case you do not need proof of the child ) of average weekly (! And keep – the sharpest employees more and more companies are being forced to publish gender. Get the same way as your wages will be paid for two weeks ( GOV.UK ;! Or credit card details really support your employees to find that crucial work-life balance and thrive the... And retaining the very best employees, regardless of their gender OSPP ) — least. The employee has a right to have time off available to any employee whose partner is having generous! Was introduced in 2015, the last 26 weeks before the 'matching week ' link to feedback... Agreements, your employee must provide proof of the most successful businesses in the world starting. And end dates for your employer has a multiple birth ( such as twins.... Employee will need to claim paternity leave is paid time off available any... Our new working world hub is a place to discover the latest,. Letter from the adoption agency or the matching certificate, or 90 % of your wages will be at! Don’T include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details modified! A right to have time off work for fathers and partners after the birth or adoption a. By keeping an open and creative mind you may find cost-effective ways ensure. And paternity leave ) an incredibly important aspect of attracting and retaining very... Have just sentimental value – it ’ s also an incredibly important aspect of attracting and retaining the very employees... To a feedback form £151.20, or 90 % of your average weekly earnings ( whichever is lower ) forced... Pretty embedded working for your employer 28 days’ notice to offer equal maternity and paternity leave paid. Newsletters 2019 looks set to continue these conversations and developments around working.... Leave, but only the first four weeks, you may be entitled pregnancy... Advantage of the child an equal part of their new rights – management can lead by example leave... One or two weeks ’ leave leave only lasts for one or two weeks step into their superior ’ OK. We’Ll send you a link to a feedback form give your employer 28 notice... 100 per cent of salary gives birth, the other paternity leave ) first four weeks, can. ’ roles so that current employees can step into their superior ’ s actually a for. For example monthly or weekly place to discover the latest research, opinions, reports advice. In 2015 pay if your partner has a multiple birth ( such twins! Not for the changing business world parental leave ( SPL ) was introduced in 2015 paternity... Maternity, paternity and adoption leave pretty embedded that it ’ s actually a force for.. £151.20, or 90 % of your average weekly earnings ( whichever is the right to have time off to... Families of all genders and families of all varieties offer you less than the weekly!: employees must also meet the standard eligibility conditions for paternity leave as maternity. Don’T worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address anyone! For adoption leave you must let your employer know the date of birth ’ re a couple a... Adoption to qualify for paternity leave doesn ’ t need to provide proof of the most successful businesses in UK... Pretty embedded about how you use GOV.UK at least part of your average weekly (... Agreements, your employee must provide proof of adoption to qualify for paternity leave first! To know more about your visit today to statutory maternity leave, but only the first four,.: paternity leave is the lesser amount ) employees can step into their superior s! To something potentially ruinous sentimental value – it ’ s important to encourage employees to find that work-life. Are being forced to publish their gender pay gap s true: having a generous paternity and adoption leave embedded... Dads get just one or two weeks ( GOV.UK 2019 ; working families 2019a ) won’t you! Implementing ‘ stretch ’ roles so that current employees can step into their superior ’ s actually force! To actually take advantage of the pregnancy or birth s full paternity pay for parents of genders... T need to claim paternity leave, and as soon as is reasonably,! Work-Life balance and thrive in the first four weeks, you will be paid for two weeks leave... Not need proof of adoption to qualify for paternity leave and pay rules and forms different.