Paternity leave: the facts

It's pretty stressful having a new baby to look after, so rope in all the help you can get.

Your partner can take up to two weeks paternity leave in addition to his normal holiday allowance, and receive paternity pay of £117.18 a week, or 90% of his wages if that is lower.

He can take the leave any time from the birth up to eight weeks afterwards and needs to have been working with his employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due. He must also be earning at least £90 a week.

He must give his employer notice that he wants to take time off.

Even if your partner doesn't qualify for paternity leave, it is worth asking his boss for time off anyway - you never know, he might aree. Alternatively, he could take paid holiday after the birth.

The Government has plans to introduce Additional Paternity leave, although a date has not been set for this yet.

Under the proposals, dads will be able to take up to 26 weeks paternity leave in the second six months of their baby's life if you (the baby's mum) have gone back to work. Some of that time could even be paid if you haven't used up all your entitlement to Statutory Maternity Pay.

Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine, April 2008

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