Although the change in law will be brought into force in April 2010, it will only be effective for parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.
Mothers who have maternity leave outstanding after their babies have reached six months will be able to return to work and transfer the outstanding leave to the father as additional paternity leave.
Up to three months’ additional paternity leave will be paid at the Statutory Paternity Pay rate if the leave is taken during the mother’s 39 week maternity pay period. The remainder of the additional paternity leave will be unpaid.
If you have any queries about paternity leave, please contact Ashley Hunt, Vaishali Thakerar or Carrie-Ann Randall on 0116 212 1000 now or complete one of the on-line forms.
