Paternity leave and paternity pay

New and updated

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Paternity leave policy (expected week of childbirth from 5 April 2026 or birth from 6 April 2026)

  We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Bereaved partner's paternity leave policy

  We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.

• Type:

  International

  Global parental leave and pay comparative table

  From 20 August 2026, South Korea allows parents to take short-term parental leave. 

• Type:

  International

  Global paternity leave and pay comparative table

  The table on paternity and parental leave and pay has been divided into two tables. This table focuses on the statutory right to paternity leave after the birth of a child. A separate table on parental leave and pay focusing on family-based parental leave entitlements has been created.

• Type:

  Training

  Paternity leave - line manager training

  Paternity leave becomes a day-one right for employees under the Employment Rights Act 2025, effective from 6 April 2026. Use this training to help ensure line managers are aware of this change.

• Type:

  How to

  How to manage statutory paternity leave and pay (birth)

  Statutory paternity leave is a day-one right from 6 April 2026, but the service requirement remains in place for statutory paternity pay. Employers should make sure their practices reflect this and managers are aware of the change.

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Paternity pay

  Updated to reflect an increase in the rate of statutory paternity pay from 5 April 2026, and an increase to the rate of Small Employers' Relief.

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Paternity leave

  Updated to reflect that, under the Employment Rights Act 2025, employees have a day-one right to paternity leave from 6 April 2026. HR teams should update their policies and processes to reflect this extended entitlement.

• Type:

  Quick reference

  Types of family leave

  Updated to include new details on bereaved partner's paternity leave.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Form for employee to cancel or vary dates of bereaved partner's paternity leave

  Use our template form to enable an employee to cancel or vary a period of bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.