Rights for Working Parents and Carers

4. Paternity Leave

4.1 Fathers (or those with responsibility for bringing up children) are entitled to take paid time off at or around the time of the child's birth.

• They can take either one full week, or two continuous full weeks.
• This leave must be taken within 56 days of the birth (or the EWC if the birth is early).
• They are entitled to statutory paternity pay of £117.18 a week or 90 per cent of average pay if lower. The employer can set this off against NI contributions.

4.2 Employees must fulfil certain criteria.

• They must have worked for you continuously for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the EWC.
• They must have (or expect to have) responsibility for bringing up the child.
• They must give you adequate notice (at least 28 days).