March 04, 2011
Employers should be aware of the new rules on paternity leave that are due to come into force on 3 April. The rules entitle fathers to take up to six months’ additional paid paternity leave when the mother has returned to work. The leave is to be paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay. Employers should take the time to update and prepare their policies and procedures to cater for the new entitlement. For example, they need to decide whether they are going to offer a higher rate of paternity pay than the statutory minimum, taking into account the amount they offer to mothers on maternity leave. They should also consider how they can provide support, coaching and training for fathers taking extended paternity leave and also draw up contingency plans for dealing with the staff absences and handover of work that such leave will entail. Policies should include provisions for giving advance notice of the taking of paternity leave, as there is currently no obligation on employees to do this. All policies should be communicated clearly to employees who should be asked to acknowledge that they have read them. An employment solicitor can provide further guidance and assistance to employers in preparing for the new rules.