Paternity leave policy

We apply current paternity legislation and statutory entitlements to paternity leave and pay, the provisions for which are covered below.

The table below provides a useful explanation of the terminology used in relation to paternity pay and paternity leave:

Eligibility for Paternity Leave

In order to qualify for ordinary Paternity Leave you must:

• have worked for us as an employee for at least 26 weeks before the end of the qualifying week or before the end of the week when you’ve been matched with a child if you are adopting
• be responsible for the child’s upbringing and either:
• be the biological father; or
• the mother’s husband or partner (including same-sex relationships), or be the partner of the child’s adopter (including same-sex relationships).

If you meet the above requirements, you are entitled to take two weeks’ ordinary paternity leave (you can choose to only take one week if you wish).

If you take two weeks, these must be taken consecutively. Eligibility for paternity leave is not based on hours worked. With the exception of monetary remuneration, all contractual benefits continue during this period.

Notification Requirements

You are requested to notify your manager of the following in writing before or during the qualifying week stating:

• the week the baby is due to be born
• whether you wish to take one or two weeks leave
• when you wish your leave to start

If you are adopting you must tell us within seven days of being matched with a child and also inform us of:

• the date you are matched with the child
• the placement start date
• whether you want to take one or two weeks leave
• when you wish your leave to start

If you wish to change the date on which you wish to commence paternity leave you can do so providing that you give us 28 days’ notice.

Taking Paternity Leave

You may commence paternity leave on any day of the week on or following the child’s birth but it must be completed:

• within eight week days of the actual date of birth of the child or
• if the child is born early, within the period from the actual date of birth up to eight weeks after the EWC.

Only one period of leave will be available, even if the birth is a multiple birth.

Self-Certification

You must provide your manager with a completed self-certification form as evidence of your entitlement to paternity leave.

Time off for Antenatal Care

Prospective fathers and partners of pregnant women, and those becoming parents through a surrogacy arrangement, have the right to unpaid time off to accompany a pregnant woman to two antenatal appointments (per pregnancy).