You may remember Philip’s blog from earlier in the year on some upcoming changes to the rules on paternity leave (who could forget all those ABBA puns?!), well the time is now (nearly) upon us for the changes to come into effect – this Friday (8th March 2024) in fact!
The new regulations make the following changes:
- The current provisions only allow employees to take one week in total or two consecutive weeks. Moving forwards, employees will be able to take their two-week paternity leave entitlement as two separate one-week blocks if they want to.
- Again, the current provisions state that employees must take their paternity leave within the 56 days following the birth of the child. Under the new regulations they’ll be able take paternity leave at any time in the 52 weeks following birth.
- The regulations also reduce the amount of notice required to take paternity leave. Currently, notice needs to be given 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth but under the new regulations only 28 days notice will need to be given.
The regulations will apply to all cases where the expected week of childbirth or adoption is on or after 6 April 2024.
Make sure you have your updated policies ready to go and if you need any help with the updates, just get in touch! If you’re a client, check out our document bank which will have an updated paternity leave policy included. If you’re not a client. Why not?! Talk to us about becoming a client today!
Also, as a side note, the weekly rate of Statutory Paternity Pay will increase in April to £184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower), our Employment rates and limits cheat sheet will soon be sent out so make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list so you don’t miss out!
Recent Comments