Paternity pay and the Christmas holiday

[TheProvincialLady]

My DH is a teacher in a state school and is entitled to 2 weeks paternity pay. I am due on 22nd December and the school holiday begins on 19th December (until 5th January).

If I go into labour today and DH starts his paternity leave tomorrow, with only 8 days left before the holiday, does that mean that he loses the extra 4 working days he would have been entitled to have off if the holiday had started later? I suppose basically what I mean is, can paternity leave be carried over the holiday or will it just be eaten up by the holiday?

I was nearly 3 weeks late with DS so I wasn't expecting this to be an issue, but I have just had a show (sorry if TMI) so it looks like labour is not so far away..

I would be grateful if anyone knows the answer to this

Paternity leave can only be taken in a single block and (unless the company/school policy says otherwise) cannot be carried over I'm afraid.

Your DH should check the relevant documentation, but I am afraid he probably has to choose between taking the leave now and only getting 8 days or waiting until after the holidays. That said, it might be worth speaking to the head, even if the policy doesn't give flexibility, to see if they can help out at all. They might be able to bend the rules.

Oh blast, I thought that would be the case Ah well, he will still be getting longer off in one block than your average father so we can't complain. It's just that he wasn't entitled to any PL with DS as DS was born only 3 days after he started his new job! So we would like to get the maximum benefit this time IYSWIM.

Head very unlikely to be flexible, as she was putting a lot of pressure on him to only take one week instead of two anyway.

Thanks for answering.

My Dh 'missed out' on 2 days Bank hols cause of this

He could take his leave after the holidays to maximise his paid leave - you don't have to claim it straight after the baby is born.

I think my stepsister's dh was allowed to take a week either side of the Easter holiday (her baby was breech and therefore she had an elective Caesarian at 40 weeks and I suppose that at least made it easier to plan).

Is your dh a union member?

Good luck.

Simplysally we will hang on if possible but if the baby is born today or tomorrow - a possibility - then I don't know if I will manage until next Friday without help!

That is interesting elkiedee...and yes, my DH belings to the NUT. I will suggest he rings them. Thanks for the good wishes

It is possible to split the leave but only if the school/LEA are willing to fudge the figures and dates when they fill in the government paperwork.

Dh has this situation. I gave birth 1 week before half term. They gave him an extra week paid compassionalte leave as ds was having a few problems.