To qualify for Ordinary Paternity Leave, he must have been with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.
He must also be either the:
• Biological Father
or
• Mother's husband or partner (including same-sex relationships)
fifteenth week before the baby is due.
A Self Certificate (form SC3) to pass to his employer can be printed off from the HMRC website:
Ordinary Paternity Leave should either be taken as 1 week or 2 consecutive weeks. It can not be split.
Paternity leave can not start until the baby is born and must be taken within 56 days of the baby being born.
Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay (OSPP)
If the father/partner qualifies for Ordinary Paternity Leave, and earns more than £107 a week, he qualifies for Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay (OSPP) too.
This is paid at £136.78 per week or 90% of his average weekly earnings if they are less than this.
Your Employer may offer additional Paternity benefits so check your contract and speak to your HR department.
Additional Paternity Leave & Pay
Since April 2011, fathers/partners also have the right to up to 26 weeks' Additional Paternity Leave if the child's mother has returned to work before the end of her Statutory Maternity Pay period. This is in addition to the 2 weeks Ordinary Paternity Leave they are entitled to.
He may also receive Additional Statutory Paternity Pay if the child's mother has returned to work before the end of her maternity pay period.
Additional Paternity Leave can be taken from 20 weeks after the child is born.
It must finish before the child's first birthday.
Additional Statutory Paternity Pay is paid at the same weekly rate as the OSPP and can be paid for a maximum of 19 weeks (to complete the Statutory Maternity Pay period of 39 weeks for the mother). For more info see: www.gov.uk/employers-additional-paternity-pay-leave
Self Employed New Dads
Unfortunately, there is no paternity pay equivalent for self employed dads (which is rather unfairI think!).
For more information visit:
Great websites for dads-to-be and new dads are:
