Paternity Leave

Yes, as an expectant partner of a pregnant person, you can take unpaid time off to attend up to 2 antenatal appointments (up to a maximum of 6.5 hours each) provided you are:

• The baby's father

• The expectant person's spouse, civil partner or partner in an enduring relationship

If you need to take more time off for appointments, please speak to your manager as you may be able to use holidays.

If you have (or expect to have) responsibility for the child's upbringing and are the biological parent, the mother's husband or partner, or the Secondary Adopter and have worked for us for at least 26 weeks' by the 15th week before the Expected Week of Childbirth (or the end of the week in which you were notified for match of adoption) you are eligible for paternity leave.

You can take either one or two consecutive weeks of paternity leave. You have to take it in blocks of full weeks, not individual or multiple days. You may take your paternity leave as two separate one-week blocks.

Only one period of leave is available irrespective of the number of children born (or placed) at the time.

Please complete the paternity leave request form available on our intranet (see below). You'll need to give us at least 28 days notice of your intention to take leave.

You can't start paternity leave before your baby is born, or before your adoption placement. You can choose to start your paternity leave from:

• the date of the child's birth

• an agreed date within 52 weeks after the baby is born, was expected to be born or your adoption placement starts

• the date your adopted child arrives in the UK or an agreed date after if adopting from overseas

• the day your surrogate baby is born or the day after

If you earn at least the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions and have stopped work due to paternity leave you'll be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay for your period of leave. This is paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings or at statutory rates, whichever is lower.

If you don't qualify for pay, we'll notify you in writing and you may be able to claim an allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

We can't pay you statutory paternity pay at the same time as holiday or sick pay, but you can take holidays instead of paternity leave if you'd prefer. You may also be able to use holidays to extend your paternity leave.

If you need to change the date of your paternity leave because the baby is born early, please speak to your manager and complete a new paternity leave request form.

If your baby is born late and you haven't started your paternity leave and pay yet, please speak to your manager and complete a new paternity leave request form.

In the tragic event of a stillbirth, you are still entitled to paternity leave and pay if the baby is born after the 24th week of pregnancy. You may also be eligible for Statutory Parental Bereavement leave and pay, so please speak to us. 

If your adoption placement either doesn't go ahead, the child is returned to the adoption agency, or sadly passes away, you'll still be entitled to paternity leave and pay if you've already started your leave.

There's no legal entitlement to time off to care for your partner, but if your partner is having a difficult pregnancy or has a pregnancy related illness, please talk to your manager as we may allow you to use holidays, take unpaid leave or alter your working patterns.

You need to return on the date outlined on your paternity leave request form. If you're ill when you're due to return, our normal sickness procedures apply.