Paternity leave notice period

[SobranieCocktail]

Does anyone know what the rules are re: giving notice for paternity leave? I've read that you need to give 15 weeks notice of the date you wish the paternity leave to start and you need to confirm at that point whether you want to take one or two weeks.

What if the baby arrives early or late? It would be a pain for DH to "waste" paternity leave if the baby is late (as my first two have been), and likewise, it would surely be a bit harsh for him not to be allowed time off until the official due date if the baby has come early.

And we're hoping that we can get away with him having only a week off if I'm feeling fit enough (as we're v strapped for cash), but I don't want to permanently forfeit the option of having him around for two weeks if I'm struggling to heal.

This didn't seem to be an issue for the first two pregnancies, so I'm not sure if they've changed the rules or if his last employer was just very flexible.

Does anyone have any dorect experience?

[flowerybeanbag]

Here about notice requirements and other stuff. As you will see, you need to give notice to change it but if there is a valid reason why you can't (such as baby arriving early), that should be fine.

In terms of deciding very late to take a second week, that may well be more up to the employer whether to allow it. Can he take holiday instead?

[SobranieCocktail]

Thanks flowery That was actually the info I'd read. It doesn't make it clear what happens if the baby is late though (or am I just not reading it correctly??). The last two DCs were 8 days late and it would be annoying for DH to be committed to starting paternity leave on the official due date.

Re: taking holiday, well yes I suppose he could, but I'd rather not Do you think it would be an option for him to request to have two weeks off and then ask if he can go back to work earlier if I'm feeling healed? I suppose it's a case of asking the employer directly...

[Monkeyandbooba]

My DH has been with two different employers with both pregnancies. Both times he gave notice that he wanted to take the full two weeks paternity leave and it started on the day the baby was born (not on the EDD).

[SobranieCocktail]

Oh lordy - I just googled "paternity leave notice baby late" and the first page that came up was this one

[nuttygirl]

I believe you can just give the notice as "I want to take 2 weeks beginning on the day the baby is born". The stuff Flowery linked to says you can take it from the day the baby is born.

I would guess that if you ask for both weeks it's easier to change your mind and just take one rather than ask for one then try to take two.

[nuttygirl]

Sorry it wasn't on that page, it was on one of the links www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchil dren/DG_10018750 - it states that you can take the leave on or after the day the baby is born. He can't actually take it if the baby hasn't been born if I'm reading it correctly.

[SobranieCocktail]

Aha brilliant! Thanks I thought it was unlikely that folk would be forced to take paternity leave before the baby had popped out, but just couldn't find info confIrming it!

[RibenaBerry]

I agree with what others have said. You are correct about when the notice has to be given, but that notice can be "I want to take my leave from the day the baby is born", not "from X date."

If you're not sure how long your DH will want, I suggest he officially notifies for the full two weeks. Most workplaces will happily have someone back early and, if you tell them it might be a possibility, will probably be pleased. You can't just add the second week on at the last minute, so it's best to do it that way round. Likewise, as I am sure you realise, bear in mind that you cannot split paternity leave (unless there's a company policy allowing you too, in which case it's not strictly statutory paternity leave). It has to be two weeks in a row, not a week and then another week a few weeks later.

[hoeggie]

Hi there

I am due my first child in September and my husband would like to take the full 2 weeks paternity leave. However, as I will be going back to work after 6 months, he would also like to do shared maternity leave when I go back to work. Is it possible to do this as well as paternity leave?

Thanks! :-)

[Ellypoo]

This is a really old thread, so can you start a new one - then we can answer you properly.