Paternity Leave
This document sets out statutory provision for Paternity Leave. It is designed to be as comprehensive as possible. However if you have any questions about the contents or other matters related to paternity please contact the Human Resources Department.
Paternity Leave and pay will be available to eligible employees following the birth of a child, offering the right to paid leave to care for the child or support the mother.
It is helpful if you can contact your Manager and the HR Department as soon as possible to inform them that you intend to take Paternity Leave. This enables us to provide you with all the relevant information and ensures that you are informed of the options available to you.
Eligibility
To qualify for paternity leave you will need to satisfy the following conditions:
- have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing
- be the biological father of the child, or the mother's husband or partner
- have worked continuously for the University for 26 weeks leading in to the 15th week before the child's expected week of birth
Please note that you may be asked to provide a self-certificate (SC3) along with your completed application form PER-Pat, as evidence that you meet these conditions.
Length of Paternity Leave
You can take either one or two consecutive weeks' Paternity Leave (7 or 14 calendar days) but you cannot take odd days.
Leave can only be taken as a single period of either one or two weeks' leave i.e. if you decide to take one week of leave, you cannot then later take a further week's paid paternity leave in respect of the same child.
When Can I start Paternity Leave?
- from the date that the child is born (regardless of whether it is early or later than expected) or
- from a chosen number of days/weeks after the date that the child is born or
- from a chosen date
Leave can start on any day of the week, but must be completed:
- within 56 days of the actual date that the child is born or
- if the child is born early, between the actual date of birth and within 56 days of the expected week of birth
What if it is a Multiple Birth?
Only one period of paid leave is available, regardless of the number of children born as a result of the same pregnancy.
Will I Get Paid During Paternity Leave?
If you meet the qualifying criteria (26 weeks service by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth) you will be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)
SPP will be
paid by employers* for either one or two
consecutive weeks as per the employee's choice.
SPP is paid at the same rate as Statutory
Maternity Pay (SMP), whichever is the lesser of
the SPP rate or 90% of average weekly earnings.
How Do I Apply for Paternity Leave?
You must notify your Manager and the Human Resources Department, preferably in writing, of your intention to take Paternity Leave by the end of the 15th week before the child's expected week of birth, unless this is not reasonably practicable.
Your Manager will need to know:
- the week the baby is expected to be born
- whether you wish to take one or two weeks' leave
- the date you would like to start your paternity leave
A completed PER-PAT
with the above information should be returned to your
Manager. A copy should also come to Human
Resources.
If you change your mind about the date on which
you wish to start your Paternity Leave, you must
provide your Manager and Human Resources at least 28
days notice of the new date unless this is not
reasonably practicable.
HR will write to you within 28 days of your
notification informing you of the date we expect SPP payments to start, unless this is not
reasonably practicable.
What If I Don't Meet the Criteria to Qualify
for Paternity Leave?
If you do not have sufficient length of service to
qualify for Paternity Leave (26 weeks service at
the 15th week before the child's expected week of
birth), you may still be entitled to take leave
under the Parental Leave
Policy.
Additional Time Off
For those wishing to take additional time off, further details are available in the Parental Leave Policy. Please contact Human Resources for further information.
How Often Can I Apply for Paternity Leave?
Providing
you meet the criteria, and each application is for
a birth or births resulting from a different
pregnancy in each case, you may apply as many
times as you need to during the course of your
employment.
What Will Happen to my Holiday Entitlement?
You will
continue to accrue paid holiday entitlement
throughout your Paternity Leave.
What Will Happen to my Pension Contributions?
If you are a member and contribute to the Teachers' Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme your Paternity Leave will be treated as pensionable service. Your contributions will continue to be deducted from your paternity pay and will be based on the paternity pay you receive rather than your usual salary.
For further
details, please contact the Human Resources Department.
Returning to Work
You are expected to return to work, to the same job, immediately following the end of your Paternity Leave.
Flexible Working
If you are considering the possibility of returning to work on a part time, flexible or job share basis please discuss this with your manager. Guidelines on the Right to Request Flexible Working for Parents with Children under the age of 6 (or 18 if the child is disabled) are available on the HR web pages.
August 2008
