Paternity Leave

[kt606]

Hi, I am not sure if this is the right place (and I am sure I will be redirected if not, see what I did there ?)

My wife is going to have a baby in 3 months, and I have filled in all the correct forms, but I am a little alarmed that I have had to "Book" my 2 weeks leave, Implying that I may get no time at all with my wife and child should she go over the due date,

Can they make me "book" the time off ?

Thanks

[fishtank]

3.1 Ordinary Paternity Leave (OPL)
 Eligible individuals have a statutory right to leave to care for the baby or to support the
mother following the birth of the child. The individual is entitled to a minimum of two
weeks OPL (See Appendix 1)
 The individual may take one week's or two consecutive week's statutory OPL. It cannot
be taken as odd days or as two separate weeks. Where individuals are entitled to
more than two weeks’ leave Appendix 1 sets out when and how this must be taken.
 In birth cases the date on which OPL commences can be the day of the child’s birth; a
specified number of days after the child’s birth; or a specific date later than the first
date of the Expected Week of Childbirth (EWC).
 In adoption cases the date on which OPL commences can be the date of the child’s
placement for adoption, a specified number of days after the date the child is placed for
adoption or a specified date after the expected placement date.
 OPL should be taken within 3 months of the child's birth (or in adoption cases, the date
of placement).
 The individual may be eligible for Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay (OSPP). Individuals
with 12 months service may be eligible for a minimum of 2 weeks full pay. See 3.1.1.
 For birth cases, leave should be requested 15 weeks before the EWC or, if that is not
reasonably practicable, as soon as an individual can make a request.
 For adoption cases, leave should be requested no more than seven days after they
have been notified of having been matched with the child or, if that is not reasonably
practicable, as soon as an individual can make a request.
 Individuals should request leave through their line manager, by completing the
Paternity Leave Application Form found in the Manager/Employee Guide, including a
declaration to confirm they meet the criteria for OSPP. The line manager should
submit the form to HR Services Maternity Team (HRSMT).
 Individuals have the right to a change of mind over the start date. Further detail on an
individual’s right to change his/her mind is available in the Manager/Employee Guide.
 An individual is entitled not to be subjected to a detriment because he/she has taken
paternity leave.

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[OnAFlyer]

You book the time off from the due date but it's flexible, you can wait right up until labour before finishing work if you want.

I had PL last year btw.

[POSTMAN]

Managers getting lower.

[Pat Ostman]

Are you able to take more, unpaid?

[Honeybeesuckle]

yes, dependant leave. over 20weeks, unpaid leave if you want too...
you just wont get paid... so save,

[fishtank]

Are you able to take more, unpaid?

3.2 Additional Paternity Leave (APL)
 Additional Paternity Leave may be available to individuals with a child due, or matched
for adoption, on or after 3rd April 2011.
 Eligible biological fathers or the spouse/partner (of either sex) of the mother/adopter
will be able to take between 2 and 26 weeks Additional Paternity Leave (APL). APL
must be taken in continuous weeks (see 2.1 and 2.2 for eligibility requirements).
 The earliest that APL can start is 20 weeks after the child is born or placed for adoption
and APL must end by the child’s first birthday (or the date 12 months after the date of
placement for adoption). The mother/adopter must have returned to work and stopped
receiving Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Maternity Allowance (MA) or Statutory
Adoption Pay (SAP). If the mother takes annual leave or is sick at the end of her
maternity period this does not count as a return to work
 In the unfortunate circumstance that the mother/partner dies the APL period can be
brought forward.
 The individual may be eligible for Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (ASPP). See 3.2.1.
 Applicants must provide 8 weeks notice and apply using the application form available
in the Manager/Employee Guide. Both parents/adopters are required to sign a
declaration, and we will request information including a copy of the child’s birth
certificate/adoption documentation, and details of the mother/adopter’s employment to
allow for checks on applications.
 Individuals have the right to a change of mind over the start date. Further detail on an
individual’s right to change his/her mind is available in the Manager/Employee Guide.
 “Keeping in touch days” – Individuals can choose to return for up to 10 days’ paid work
during their APL without triggering the end of APL or affecting their entitlement to
additional statutory paternity pay. The aim is to allow the individual to participate in
relevant work or training that will smooth their transition back to work.
 Individuals will normally be entitled to return to work to the same position, on the same
terms and conditions as they held before commencing leave.

[feduppostie]

you give the date you expect to start Pat leave ie the due date

then ( well in my office anyway) you wait and when the baby is here you ring up and state that you are starting pat leave

it is not fixed

my only advice though wait till the baby is born before you ring and start, if the missus goes into labour ring up and advise that it has happened and you will advise when pat leave starts

only reason I say this is bloke at our place rang up and said missus in labour pat leave started then found out it was a false alarm waited another week had baby and ended up with only about 3 days as he had started pat leave with his first phone call

[Pat Ostman]

Thanks all, excellent advice as usual.