Paternity pay policy

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is payable for two weeks at the statutory rate applicable at the time or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Rates are set by the government and are reviewed annually each April.

To qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay, all of the following must apply:

• you must be the biological father of the child or be the mother's (or adopter's) husband, partner or civil partner or have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing;
• you must have continued to work for us without a break for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due, or employed up to and including the week your wife, partner or civil partner was matched with a child;
• you must continue to work for us without a break, up to the date the child is born or placed for adoption.

Qualification for SPP is not based on hours worked but you must be earning at least the lower earnings limit during the relevant earnings period.

Subject to continuous employment with us for a minimum of 12 months, you may be eligible for enhanced paternity pay which includes being paid at your normal rate of pay for two weeks of Paternity Leave (including adoption). If you resign within three months of returning from Paternity Leave, 50% of the difference between the enhanced paternity pay and Statutory Paternity Pay will be repayable.