paternity leave

[danchip]

my sister in law and her husband are expecting a baby in october and he has been told that he can have 2 weeks paternity leave and will be paid at the standard maternity pay!

Is this correct?

[kinell]

sounds over generous to me,

why should he be paid out of the peoples pot?

presumably he has had a few months to think about this one.....

he could be honourable and public spirited and use some of his holiday entitlement.

[sophie_1003]

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/paternity_l eave
the site above seems to have all the relevant information. Apparently two weeks is the legal requirement, doesn't seem like much to me, new mum on her own with a two week old baby must be very difficult so good luck to your sister in law!

[Coppertop84]

The statutory entitlement to Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and leave is a choice of one or two consecutive weeks. The employee can choose if to take one or two weeks. The week(s) must be taken together and not split up and must be taken within 56 days after the birth of the child.

Employee's must meet qualifying conditions to become eligible for paternity leave. If these are met paternity leave should be granted and SPP paid accordingly which I believe for 2009/10 tax year (which covers October) is 90% of average weekly earnings per week or �123.06 per week - whichever is the lower figure.

With regards to any occupational paternity pay - he should refer to his employment contract as each company is different. Some employer's offer occupational paternity pay whilst many do not.

It may be worthwhile him checking with his HR department to discuss.

I hope this helps.

[danchip]

thanks for all your answers, it was the �123.06 he was told he would get!

Unfortunately they have decided they cant afford for him to drop to that amount so is just having 2 weeks annual leave instead