Paternity Leave Policy

The Employment Act 2002 introduced statutory paid paternity leave rights to employees whose babies are expected to be born or are born on or after 6 April 2003.

Eligibility
Employees are entitled to paternity leave if they: have 26 weeks qualifying service (ending with 15th week before the baby is due) and continue to work from the 15th week before the baby is due up to the date of birth, and have or expects to have responsibility for the babys upbringing and is either or both the biological father of his baby/the mothers husband or partner 1, and are taking the time off either to support the mother or to care for the new baby The right to paternity leave is regardless of the hours worked. An employee still qualifies for paternity leave and pay if the baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Length of Paternity Leave

Employees can choose whether to take either one week or two consecutive weeks paternity leave; this cannot be taken as odd days or two separate weeks. Leave can only start from the actual date of birth. It can start on any day of the week, as long as the required notice has been given. It must be completed within 8 weeks of the actual date of birth or from the first day of the expected week of childbirth, whichever is the later.

Paid Paternity Leave

The Universitys provision goes beyond the statutory provision and provides for full pay for the first week and statutory paternity pay for the second week.

Procedure
1. The employee must inform Human Resources that: he intends to take paternity leave this must be done by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due, or if this isnt possible, as soon as is reasonably practicable, the expected week of childbirth, whether he wishes to take one or two weeks leave, and when he wants to start his leave. This can be from the date of the birth, from a chosen number of days or weeks after the date of the birth, or from a chosen date. This date can be changed as long as 28 days notice is given before the start of the leave, or as soon as practicable if the date of birth is earlier or later than expected. A form is available from Human Resources for the purpose of confirming the information above and your eligibility. Your Head of School/Section should countersign this form. 2. The employee should inform Human Resources when his baby was actually born as soon as possible after the birth.

1 partner is defined as someone who lives with the mother of the baby in an enduring family relationship but is not an immediate relative; it can include a female partner in a same sex couple