BECOMING A FATHER
Feb 9, 2007
Author: Trish Morrill

From 1st April 2007, mothers and fathers can take maternity or paternity leave because of The Work and Families Act 2006. The act applies to children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 April 2007.
Trish Morrill says “The main paternity leave changes are:
• Employees with parental responsibility will be permitted to take up to 26 weeks' extra paternity leave in addition to the standard two-week entitlement which is already in place by using some or all of any unused maternity leave entitlement (12 months) from the mother. So parents are going to have to decide between themselves which of them may take some of the leave for that six-month period. In some cases the mother might take the first 6 months and the father the second six months, for example.
• If an employee ‘borrows’ a period of additional entitlement from the mother, then he must give eight weeks' (previously four weeks') notice before returning to work.
Additional Statutory Paternity Pay from 1st April 2007 is £112.75 per week, or 90% of the employee's weekly earnings if 90% is less than that sum. So those on high pay, as with women with maternity pay entitlement of the same sum, may not in practice be able to afford to take the full period off. Like maternity pay which is also at that rate from that date, employers can claim the payments at that level back from the Government. Some employers choose to pay more but they do not have to. Paternity leave is granted to biological fathers and all those with parental responsibility only if he:
• Has at least 26 weeks' service by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due;
• Is fully involved in the child's care and upbringing; and
• Will support the mother or care for the baby. So, no sabbatical or six months on the golf course! However, some families employ a nanny even during the mother’s maternity leave, particularly if the mother usually works and will return to work, so the employee cannot just be laid off during the period of maternity or paternity leave and it is thought this will remain acceptable whether the mother or father takes the leave.
If you need advice on how this affects you personally or your business contact Trish Morrill for further information on 01494 521301.