Paternity Leave
Paternity leave is time off work for fathers or partners following the birth or adoption of a child.
leave-types
Category
beginner
Difficulty
4 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Paternity leave is time off work for fathers or partners following the birth or adoption of a child.
Detailed explanation
Paternity leave allows fathers and partners to take time off work to support their partner and bond with their new child. In the UK, eligible employees can take up to 2 weeks of statutory paternity leave.
The leave must be taken within 56 days of the birth (or adoption placement) and can be taken as one week or two consecutive weeks. Eligible employees may receive Statutory Paternity Pay during this period.
Recent changes have made paternity leave more flexible, and some employers offer enhanced paternity leave and pay beyond the statutory minimum.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employees must give 15 weeks notice before due date. Leave can be 1 or 2 consecutive weeks and must be taken within 56 days of birth. SPP is paid if eligibility criteria are met.
Best practices
Communicate paternity leave policy clearly
Process requests promptly
Consider enhanced paternity leave offerings
Legal context
Legal basis
Employment Rights Act 1996, Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002
Jurisdiction: UK
Key provisions
Up to 2 weeks statutory paternity leave
Must have 26 weeks continuous service by 15th week before due date
SPP paid at £184.03 or 90% of earnings (whichever is lower)
Leave must be taken within 56 days of birth/placement
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Can I take paternity leave in two separate weeks?
No, statutory paternity leave must be taken as either one week or two consecutive weeks. You cannot split it into separate periods.
Related glossary terms
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is time off work for pregnant employees before and after childbirth, with statutory protections and pay entitlements.
Shared Parental Leave
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them in the first year after their child's birth or adoption.