Shared Parental Leave Success

[MinnieNoush]

I just wanted to share our experience with everyone as it has worked out really well.

Being self employed I was always aware that I would only ever be entitled to statatory maternity pay. I had heard various things last year about the fact that the law had changed in regards to parents sharing the parental leave so I told my husband to check with his work to see what he was entitled to.

It turns out that he is entitled to exactly the same as the female employees which is 16 weeks leave at FULL PAY, plus the statutury paternity leave which is and additional 2 weeks at FULL pay. We couldn't beleive it. He now has everything arranged and signed off meaning he will be taking a full 18 weeks off once the baby is born.

The only catch is that you can not claim the statury maternity pay while your husband is on leave, but not much of a catch as he will be getting paid by his employer during this time. Once he goes back to work you can then claim the statutury maternity pay for the remaining months.

The fact that he will be able to be around to support me for the first 4 months is amazing, we are so thrilled. I wanted to share this with you incase any self employed women were not aware of this as an option. Obviously each company will have it's own policy on maternity/paternity pay but it's certainly worth your other half talking to the HR department, as the law now means that a male employee should be entitled to exactly the same as a female employee.

[Barefootcontessa84]

The difference is, you're not claiming anything. A working woman who needs time off would be taking what your husband is. The statutory position is 2 weeks for men, which is at the discretion of the company to enhance. Unfortunately your situation will not apply to the vast majority of people.

[Barefootcontessa84]

Also the law doesn't state that men are entitled to exactly the same as women.

[Candidfruits]

Glad you've found a solution that works for you, Minnie. I agree it's worth people looking in to and it's great that you and your husband can take the time off together. My DH and I are also doing SPL.

As another example, DH's employer offers six weeks of SPL at full pay, which includes the two weeks of paternity leave. Although my employer offers a decent maternity package, the pay stops entirely at 39 weeks, which I imagine is similar to a lot of employers. So where two parents want to ensure the baby has a parent at home for more than 39 weeks, it makes sense financially for a partner working at DH's company to take those four paid weeks whilst the mother goes back to work. My DH reports though that very few people at his company are aware of this.

[MinnieNoush]

YES Barefootcontessa84 that is why I said this might be useful to any self employed women like myself.

[Blueskyrain]

Your situation is almost identical to mine, and my husband is able to take 6 months off on full pay.

It's a brilliant scheme :-)

[MinnieNoush]

Blueskyrain, that's awesome!!

I'm so pleased they have changed this law. Maybe one day the UK will be as good as Sweden where both parents get a full year off at full pay!! lol

[SaltedCaramelEverything]

So lovely to hear! My DH is too but max of 4 weeks as we just can't afford living ok statutory for too long. I have 6 weeks full and 12 weeks half then stay.

Good to hear some companies give excellent pay for men too. I hope more follow suit!

[Redpony1]

We've had a good up take of SPL here, but mostly the mothers taking 6 months then the fathers taking 3 or 6 months after, not at the same time. We don't pay enhanced pay for leave, so it is just statutory pay only.