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Paternity leave and paternity pay

Stephen SimpsonEditor's message: Eligible employees are entitled to take up to two weeks' statutory paternity leave.

On 8 March 2024, important reforms to statutory paternity leave took effect. The changes mean that, where the expected week of childbirth is after 6 April 2024:

  • employees are entitled to split their leave into two separate blocks of one week, instead of having to take it all in one period; and
  • paternity leave can be taken within 52 weeks of the child's birth - previously, the leave had to be taken within the first eight weeks.

Under the new rules, an employee who wishes to take paternity leave must provide their employer with a notice of entitlement and a written declaration that they meet the eligibility requirements to take paternity leave. For a birth child, the notice of entitlement and declaration must be provided to the employer at least 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.

In addition, the new rules mean that an employee who wishes to take paternity leave must give their employer further notice specifying when they wish to start their paternity leave and a written declaration that the leave will be used to care for a child or support the child's mother or adopter. For a birth child, the notice and declaration must generally be given to the employer at least 28 days before each period of leave is due to start.

Stephen Simpson, principal employment law editor

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HR and legal information and guidance relating to paternity leave and paternity pay.