News Stories

Paternity leave and future developments
15/04/2008

There could be big changes just around the corner thanks to proposed new rules governing paternity leave.

Working fathers are currently entitled to just two weeks statutory paternity leave - compared to a new maximum of 12 months leave for working mothers - but this looks set to undergo radical change in the near future.

The government has stated its intention to introduce new rules whereby fathers may be entitled to take additional paternity leave by effectively 'splitting' the maternity leave available between him and the child's mother, and taking joint responsibility for the raising of the child.

This would mean that additional paternity leave (APL) of up to 26 weeks will be available if the mother returns to work before the end of the maternity leave period. APL would not however start before the mother has taken at least 20 weeks maternity leave.

In practical terms, these new rights seem set to cause a real stir if - as expected - they come into force later this year or during 2009.

Employers will be left with a real logistical dilemma, as they will be required to liaise with one another in terms of checking the periods of the mother's leave and entitlement for that leave, before then being able to coordinate that with the father's entitlement for leave.

The key element of the new rules is that the periods of leave must effectively cross over, which is likely to require detailed consideration by all parties involved. Quite how the new entitlements will work in practice is unclear, but we aim to keep abreast of all the latest developments.


For further information contact Andy Cross at Brabners Chaffe Street on

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