Paternity Leave in the UK: What You Need to Know

Paternity leave is a momentous period in the life of a new dad. Time off work provides you time to support your partner, bond with your baby, learn how to care for them and adapt to a new life with little sleep.

Using their full paternity leave is one of the top things that new dads do which make them better fathers.

Studies have shown that taking paternity leave improves the mum’s well-being, can promote a baby’s development, reduces chances of depression, and parents are less likely to separate.

Learn what paternity leave and pay you’re legally entitled to in the UK, how to claim it and make the most of this precious time.

How long is paternity leave for dads in the UK?

In the UK, new dads are typically entitled to up to 2 weeks of paternity leave. However, you have the option to choose between just one week or two.

In terms of paternity, a “Week” is considered the number of days you usually work during a week. For example, if you work four days a week, Monday to Thursday, and choose to take two weeks of paternity leave, you can take up to eight days off.

Besides paternity leave, you’ll also be entitled to time off work to attend a maximum of two antenatal appointments.

How much paternity leave should a new dad take?

There are significant benefits for you, your newborn, and your partner by taking the full leave you’re entitled to.

Many new dads worry about finances and how they’re going to pay for their growing family. Don’t simply assume that you’re can’t afford to take the whole two weeks paternity leave or even additional time off. Assess your finances before deciding not to take your full paternity leave.

What pay am I entitled to while on paternity leave?

The statutory paternity pay is £151.97 per week in the UK, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if this is less than the standard weekly rate. The above amounts are the minimum that an employer can offer.

The UK Government website has a calculator for working out pay for parental leave. Though created for employers, you can calculate what pay you’ll be likely to receive.

You should also be aware that paternity pay is liable to Tax and National Insurance deductions.

While the statutory pay may seem low, you could get more compensation during paternity leave as many companies offer more generous benefits through their own paternity schemes.

Who pays the paternity pay?

Paternity leave pay is paid to you by your employer in the usual way your receive your wages or salary. It is then up to the employer to claim back the statutory pay from the government.

Do I need to take paternity leave right after the birth?

No, but your leave has to finish within 56 days after the birth of your child.

You cannot begin paternity leave before the birth of your child. When you apply for leave, you’ll need to provide the expected due date.

Do I need to take all my leave in one go?

Yes, paternity leave should be taken in one go. All days should be taken off consecutively for days you usually work during a week. For example, you can’t take off a week, return to work and then take the remaining paternity leave at a later date.

However, suppose you’re on good terms with your employer, and they’re flexible. In that case, you may be able to agree with them to “unofficially” split your paternity leave over a more extended period.

If instead, you opt for Shared Parental Leave between you and your partner, then this doesn’t need to be taken in one go.

Am I eligible for paternity leave and pay?

To receive up to two weeks of paternity leave and the statutory pay, you need to:

• Be either the biological father, husband or partner of the mother, an adopter, or the intended father if using surrogacy.
• Plan to use your absence to take care of your baby
• Have been an employee working at a company for at least 26 weeks up to any day before 15 weeks before the baby is due (it does not affect this if your baby is born early).
• Give your employer correct notice at least 15 weeks before the due date
• Earn £120 or more per week

You can use this tool to help calculate if your eligible.

If you apply for paternity leave and you’re ineligible, your employer must tell you why within 28 days.

What is Shared Parental Leave?

UK Shared Parental Leave allows you and your partner to take a total of 50 weeks absence from work and 37 weeks of pay between you. The leave must be taken within a year of the birth.

It doesn’t have to be used all in one go. Both parents can take the leave at the same time or alternate if they wish.

Shared parental leave is taken in place of both paternity and maternity leave.

Can you get paternity pay or leave if you’re self-employed?

Self-employed dads are not eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay or leave in the UK. Only employees qualify.

If you’re self-employed, then assess how much time you can afford to take off.

How to give notice to your employer

To claim your statutory paternity leave, you must give notice to your company at least 15 weeks before the due date.

However, if you need to make changes to when you want your leave to start or how long you want to take off, you can do so before 28 days of the due date.

The notice to your employer needs to include:

• The expected due date
• When you want your paternity leave to start (remember, it cannot begin before the birth and must end within 56 days after the birth)
• If you intend to take one or two weeks off.

To give notice to your employer, you can use this form for paternity leave.

Paternity leave during bank holidays

Whether your paternity leave includes bank holidays or not will depend on your individual employment and contract.

In short, if you don’t usually work on bank holidays, then it’s likely your paternity leave does not need to be used for bank holidays. Therefore you’ll get the days you’re entitled to plus the bank holiday days, or you might get the bank holidays days lieu to take at a later date. Speak to your employer to find out.

Prepare for your paternity leave

You don’t want to spend your paternity leave putting together nursery furniture or preparing for your absence from work.

Though we can’t know when exactly when a baby will make their appearance, you should do all you can to prepare in advance.

Most babies are born between three weeks before the due date or two weeks after. Therefore it’s wise to have everything prepared for your paternity leave to begin by the 35th week of pregnancy.

If the due date is creeping up and the subject hasn’t been approached at work on how tasks will be managed in your absence, be proactive and start preparations yourself.

As the due date gets closer, you might choose to set a particular ringtone just for when you’re partner calls. If you can’t be contacted by your mobile, make sure they know how to reach you.

What to buy before paternity leave begins

Outside of work, ensure you have all you need to care for a newborn ready before the beginning of your paternity leave. The main essentials to buy are:

• A Car Seat (have it unboxed and learn how to secure it before the due date)
• Somewhere safe for them to sleep. We recommend a crib that sits next to your bed
• Clothes (be aware that most newborns don’t fit 0–3 months sized clothes)
• Nappies, wipes and a changing mat
• Somewhere to wash them and stuff to clean them with
• A pram
• Swaddles or a sleep bag for them to sleep in
• Formula, bottles, and a way to sterilise them (even if breastfeeding is the plan, it can’t hurt to have these as a backup)

Food is an important consideration for the first day at home with a newborn

Take on the responsibility of preparing food. If you’re not usually the one preparing meals, bear in mind that you may have to step up your kitchen skills. Don’t expect your partner to be up to cooking after delivering the baby. You may even want to start practising now.

Less sleep will mean less energy; you may want some snacks and treats for yourself to help you keep going.

I’ve known some parents to prepare and freeze home-cooked meals well in advance for those first weeks of parenthood, so they have nothing to do but chuck it in the oven come dinner time. Or you could only buy ready-to-cook meals that need little effort on your part.

Do you need to buy a gift for mum?

In recent years, “push presents” have grown in popularity. A push present is a gift from a new dad given to the new mum soon after the arrival of their baby. The gift is intended for the mum, not the baby. You’ll know whether your partner might expect such a gift or not. If you choose to, then obviously, it’s something you’ll need to have thought about in advance of your paternity leave starting. It doesn’t need to be expensive; something meaningful is best.

Plan and prepare mentally

Besides what you need to buy before paternity leave begins, it helps to prepare in other ways. Discuss with your partner how you’ll both manage responsibilities during your paternity leave. Create a plan, and you’ll know what’s expected and who’s responsible for what.

Worry, stress, anxiety (whichever term you choose) can begin to set in for expectant dads as the due date inches closer. There is, of course, no way to get real experience of being a dad before you become one. However, reading about what to expect can help alleviate some worry. Remember that millions of men have been in your exact position and things have turned out just fine.

Tips on what to expect and do during the first weeks of fatherhood

The first few weeks seem relatively easy

The first two weeks do not give you a realistic impression of fatherhood, mainly because your newborn baby will sleep an awful lot in the first few weeks of life. There’s also two of you to share the responsibility and plenty of people are willing to lend a hand. However, remember this will all soon change. Don’t think that your partner has an easy job staying home with a newborn.

Get fully involved

Become a pro nappy changer, bond with your baby with skin-to-skin, and talk and sing to them plenty, so they’re familiar with your voice. Enjoy every moment.

Expect plenty of visitors

Everyone wants to come to see a newborn baby. During this time, mum will likely need some time to recover, and you’ll both be exhausted. You can help out by politely ensuring guests don’t outstay their welcome

Let others help

Don’t be afraid to ask for or take up offers for help and favours from others. Whether it’s asking them to make the tea when they visit or pick up an extra pack of nappies on their way.

Do extra household chores

Mum’s need time to recover, especially if they’ve had a difficult birth or a C-section. You’ll need to pull an extra little weight around the house. Choose easy-to-prepare meals. One-pot dishes are best as they’ll also save on the washing-up.

Don’t get drawn into work

Set auto-replies to emails and avoid the temptation to check your emails. Also, avoid phone calls. Answering one or two emails or calls will signal it’s Ok to contact you while on paternity leave, and it will only continue.

Lack of sleep is to be expected

You’ll definitely be getting less sleep, not just during your leave but for at least the next few months. Ensure you allow your partner to get ample rest and time to catch up on sleep (and I’m sure the favour will be returned).

You might feel guilty about going back to work

On returning to work, many new dads can feel guilty about leaving their partner and newborn after what feels like a short time. Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life that you need to earn a living.

However, you might be able to make more time for yourself. Consider how you can be more efficient with your time. Maybe you can apply to work from home a day or two each week.

This story was originally posted at firstyeardad.co.uk