Currently, fathers who are employees are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave, provided they have worked for their employer for not less than 26 weeks ending with the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the child’s expected week of birth. New mothers are entitled to 52 weeks’ maternity leave, of which up to 39 weeks are paid.
Following a review of the timetabling of the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, which were passed by the previous Government shortly before the May 2010 General Election, the Coalition Government has announced that this will proceed as planned.
The Regulations give new fathers the right to take additional paternity leave at any time within the period which begins 20 weeks after the date on which the child is born and ends 12 months after this date.Some of the father’s leave may be paid if it is taken during the mother’s 39-week maternity pay period. The period of leave must be continuous: the minimum allowed will be two weeks and the maximum 26 weeks. The changes will also apply to the spouse, civil partner or partner of a child’s mother or of an adoptive parent who has elected to take adoption leave.
The Regulations will apply to the parents of children due to be born on or after 3 April 2011.
In addition, the right to request flexible working will be extended to parents of children under 18 from April 2011.