Paternity Leave Policy – UK Statutory & Flexible Options
We support working parents and offer paternity leave in line with current UK statutory regulations. This policy also provides the option to spread your leave across flexible hours, giving you more choice and control during this important time.
Entitlement
If your partner, spouse, or civil partner gives birth—or if you're adopting a child—you may be entitled to up to two weeks of paid paternity leave, provided that:
You have at least 26 weeks of continuous service by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due (or the week you’re notified of a match in adoption cases).
You take the leave to care for the child and support the mother or primary adopter.
Paternity leave is available to birth fathers, spouses, civil partners, and partners (including same-sex partners) who expect to have responsibility for raising the child.
In the case of adoption, leave is available where you’ve been matched with a child and your partner chooses to take adoption leave.
Flexible Leave Options
To better support your family needs, we offer the option to:
Split your two weeks’ leave into separate blocks (e.g., one week now, one week later).
Take your leave as flexible hours, spread across different days or weeks, subject to manager approval and operational needs.
Ensure all leave is completed within 56 days of the child’s birth or adoption placement.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for paternity leave, you must:
Be the child’s biological father, or the spouse, civil partner, or partner of the mother or adopter.
Expect to share responsibility for the upbringing of the child.
Not have taken Shared Parental Leave for the same child.
Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)
Eligible employees will receive Statutory Paternity Pay at:
The standard weekly rate set by the government or
90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
If your earnings fall below the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance, you may not qualify for SPP.