Paternity Leave

mucker161 · Post by **mucker161** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:40

Hi I was wondering could anyone help me as regards paternity leave. My wife and I are due our first child in January and I would like to know what I am entitled to. I've done 10 years and I'm 30hr contract. Union rep in office doesn't know what I'm allowed. I'd like to know if I'm allowed day off for a scan also.

crazyshrew · Post by **crazyshrew** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:56

https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/overview

The absolute legal minimum you are entitled to is 2 weeks paid leave + time off for 2 antenatal appointments so you certainly should be able to attend a scan

You could also go for shared parental leave, splitting your partners 52 weeks maternity between the two of you. You could both be off for the first 6 months, or maybe she goes back to work after 6 months and you could then take 6 months to be with the baby.
You can split it any way you want but its a max of 52 week total between the two of you. You more than likely won't be entitled to full pay for any of this time off, instead receiving Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) which is the same as Statutory maternity pay - about £139 a week

this is the legal entitlements, RM may be a little more generous but they cant give you any less than that.

For time off for scans, yes you are entitled but try to give your manager a decent amount of notice.

SpongeBobPants · Post by **SpongeBobPants** » 08 Aug 2016, 19:13

RM is two weeks at full pay (if you've worked there more than a year which you obviously have).

gand · Post by **gand** » 09 Aug 2016, 15:01

Does it have to be taken as soon as the baby's are born? Or can you take the 2 weeks at a time of your choosing?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 09 Aug 2016, 15:26

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=13604" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Maternity Fact-Sheets

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... php?id=884" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Paternity Rights Fact Sheet

LukeyBoy · Post by **LukeyBoy** » 09 Aug 2016, 19:30

You can have upto 2 days off to attend scans as an entitlement.But if you have a half decent manager and plenty of warning discretion could be used.

SpongeBobPants · Post by **SpongeBobPants** » 10 Aug 2016, 18:13

You get the choice so long as it is within 56 days of the baby being born. It also has to be one complete block.

mucker161 · Post by **mucker161** » 10 Aug 2016, 23:44

Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated!