paternity leave introduction eligibility how much ... - Pilgrims Hospices

PATERNITY LEAVEINTRODUCTIONPaternity leave is time granted to employees to care for a new baby or support themother of the baby.ELIGIBILITYTo qualify for this type of leave, you must:• have or expect to have responsibility for the child’s upbringing• be the biological father of the baby• be the mothers husband or partner• have worked for Pilgrims Hospices continuously for 26 weeks ending with the15 th week before the baby is due.HOW MUCH TIME IS ALLOWED?You can take either one week or two consecutive weeks paternity leave from work.Odd days are not allowed. Leave can start on any day of the week however.You can take this time from the actual date of the child’s birth but it must becompeted within 56 days of the date of the birth.(If the child is born early you can take this leave from the expected date of birth if youprefer but again it must be completed with 56 days of this date).• You may only take one period of leave irrespective of whether more than onechild is born as a result of the same pregnancy.• For babies born on or after 3 April 2011, paternity leave is likely to beincreased to 26 weeks in the first year. Detail of this change are still awaited.WHAT WILL I BE PAID?For the time you are absent you will be paid Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) or 90% ofyour average weekly earnings if this is less than SPP. This is the same rate of pay asstatutory maternity pay and the HR department can advise you on the current rate.*Employees who earn less than the lower earnings limit for National Insurancepurposes do not qualify for SPP but may be able to qualify for income support at thistime. Your local job centre can advise you on this matter.WHO DO I NEED TO TELL I INTEND TAKING THIS LEAVE?Please complete the attached form and return it to the HR department. You mustalso let your Line Manager know of your intentions. You must submit this form by theend of the 15 th week before the baby is due.WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BABY COMES EARLY OR LATE?You can change the day you have elected to start you paternity leave. Let the HRdepartment know as soon as you do and they will make the necessary amendment tothe form.1

REQUEST FOR STATUTORY PATERNITY LEAVEName:Location:Line Manager:Dates for leave:The baby is due onIf the baby has been born, the actual date of birthI would like paternity leave to start onI will be taking 1 week paternity leave (tick)I will be taking 2 weeks paternity leave (tick)__________________________________________________________________________Declaration• I have or expect to have responsibly for the child’s upbringing, I am thebiological father of the baby or I am the mothers husband or partner• I am taking this time off work to support the mother or care for the baby• I have worked continuously for Pilgrims Hospice for 26 weeks ending with the15 th week before the baby is dueSigned:Date:Please ensure this form is passed to the HR department by the end of the 15 th weekbefore the baby is expected.Lead and Author Head of Human ResourcesDate April 2010Policy Version NoPolicy application Hospice wideApproving bodyReview April 20122