Statutory Paternity Leave Changes

Statutory Paternity Leave Changes | Wednesday 24 January 2024 | 2 min read

Rules around when and how employees can take statutory paternity leave have been relaxed to give employees a bit more flexibility.

The updated rules will apply to babies expected to be born after 6 April 2024 and children placed for adoption after 6 April 2024.

Changes to statutory paternity leave include:

• allowing employees to take paternity leave at any point during the first 52 weeks of birth/placement (up from the current 8 weeks after the birth or placement);
• allowing employees to split the leave into two one-week blocks (previously they had to take the leave in one single block of one or two weeks); and
• giving more flexibility on notice requirements – employees now only have to give 28 days’ notice of when they intend to take paternity leave. (However, the general notification requirements for employees to tell their employer a) they’re having a baby, b) they’re planning to take paternity leave and c) the expected week of childbirth or placement still apply. This must be done before the end of the ‘qualifying week’).

The rate of statutory paternity pay has also risen as of April 2024 to £184.03 per week, in line with other statutory rates of pay.

Whilst these changes are welcome, they are not exactly earth shattering. That said, it’s an election year so watch this space.

For help and advice on this topic or related issues, please contact Emily Morrison by calling 01727 798106 or emailing emily.morrison@salaw.com.

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  Emily
  Morrison Associate Solicitor
  Employment Team

  • Phone 01727 798 106
  • Email emily.morrison@salaw.com