Additional Paternity Leave available from April 2011

The Government has published draft Regulations that will entitle employees who are fathers, partners of mothers or adopters, to take paternity leave of up to 26 weeks in the first year of their child’s life. The additional paternity pay is at the same rate as statutory maternity pay. The legislation is due to come into force from next month (April 2010 however, it will be effective for parents of babies due from 3 April 2011. One of the qualifying requirements is that the mother or adopter has returned to work. In a birth situation, the child’s father or the partner of the mother will be entitled to the additional leave and pay. In the case of adopted children, the additional leave must be taken during the first year of the child’s life and after the mother or adopter has returned to work. It can begin no earlier than five months after the child’s birth or adoption. It may be paid if taken during the mother or adopter’s statutory maternity or adoption pay period and will be effective for adoptive parents notified of having been matched for adoption on or after 3 April 2011. For the BWF’s extensive range of employment documents, FAQs and news articles, please visit the dedicated employment area of our website.