To feel really annoyed that my DP will not get S.P.P

[mandoo]

I have just found out that the fact my DP is self employed means that he will not get the 2 weeks statutory paternity pay like an employed man would. This did not affect us the first time around as he was employed.

This really disgusts me as he has paid his N.I and income tax since he left school. So Therefore why does he not get the same statutory rights as an employed man?

The government offers Maternity allowance for women who do not qualify for S.M.P but why not men?

I am hoping I give birth on a Friday at least then he can have 2 days at home with his new born!!!

We're basically agreeing though, Amateurish.

There's a minimum period to recover which is medically advised (SMP). Then there is a period which is just nice to have (EMP/Paternity).

Whether you think the 13 weeks (i think it is now?) is too long for medical reasons isn't particularly important. The important thing is the distinction between "medical rest" vs. "bonding/good to have rest" (which, as you say, can last many months).

The first one is for mums, hence the legal obligation to pay it to them if they're eligible. And it comes from the state. The second kind is for employee retention purposes, work/life balance, etc. and comes from the employer.

I would say that there is a pervading hypocricy in expecting men to play an equal part in parenting while at the same time denying them state benefits provided to women.

In that case, perhaps there is an argument for paying women more than just the stat min, to encourage bonding. And the same goes for giving it to men. But it isn't a reason to deny women, and women alone, a minimum level of medical rest after having children. It's a different issue entirely.

I don't think we are agreeing.

To be clear - stat maternity leave is in total 52 weeks, of which 39 weeks are paid at SMP by the state.

None of this comes from the employer or is for work/life balance or employee retention.

Paternity leave is 2 weeks and, if paid, will be at SPP again by the state.

In some cases men who are in employment (self employed included) will not be paid SPP. Whereas women in the same circumstances will be paid SMA.

As i said in my earlier post alot of this stems from the child poverty groups and action on health. If more men wanted to take their paternity leave then there could be a European campaign for change but the problem is the numbers of men who actually want to do that.

I am in the same position, but even if DH got SPP, he couldn't afford to just close up his business for 2 weeks. My DH also works 6 days a week so we really won't have any time together after the birth of DC3. It is just something we accepted when we decided to try for another baby.

it does seem unfair, but it's only recently that fathers have been allowed anything at all.

I will qualify for MA when my baby is due, but i'm not allowed to work more than 10 days in the 13 weeks I can claim it.
I can't afford to employ someone to do all of those hours, so I can't claim any at all.