As of 6 April 2024, statutory entitlements related to paternity leave will change as a provision to help assist working parents.
The changes to The Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024 will apply for any childbirth on or after 6 April 2024 and will allow paternity leave to be split into two blocks of one week which can be taken at any week during the first year after the birth or adoption of a child.
Prior to the changes, fathers were entitled to take one block of one or two weeks of paternity leave within the first eight weeks after the birth.
What are the changes?
In summary, the changes are:
- Two-week entitlement can now be taken in two blocks of one week.
- An increase of the weekly statutory entitlement to £172.48 or the current 90% of average weekly earnings (using whichever is the lower).
- The requirement to give notice of 15 weeks prior to the expected week of the childbirth has now been reduced to 28 days.
- Employees are entitled to take paternity leave at any period within the 52 weeks after the birth or adoption on their child.
- The employee is now able to amend the dates taken for parental leave provided 28 days’ notice is given.
If you have any further questions related to these changes or if you have any other workplace-related employment questions, please do not hesitate to contact our employment solicitors at Howell Jones.
