News and Events

New Law For Paternity Leave

This month a new law on additional paternity leave and pay comes into effect.

Under this scheme, a new mother will be able to transfer up to 6 months of her maternity leave to the father if she decides to return to work before the end of her statutory maternity leave.

This extends to partners and civil partners of mothers and there are mirror provisions for adoptive parents. The way the system will work is that the mother can give some of her maternity leave to the father, or other qualifying individual, as long as this is for care of the child. If the mother is entitled to maternity pay the father or other qualifying individual will be able to claim paternity pay for the same period that she would have been entitled to receive it.

For more information contact Victoria Knight on 01935 846131 or email v.knight@battens.co.uk.

Created: 14 April 2011