Paternity Leave

You will be entitled to Statutory Paternity Leave if you satisfy the following conditions: -

• You have or expect to have the main responsibility (apart from the child’s mother) for the child’s upbringing 

• You are the biological father of the child or the spouse, civil partner or partner of either sex of the child's mother  

• You have worked for the institute for 26 weeks continuously ending with the 15th week before the baby is due, and remain in continuous employment with the Institute until the week before the first week of the additional paternity leave

• In the case of adoption, you have at least 26 weeks’ continuous employment, up to any day in the week they were matched with the child

• taking time off to care for the child

You can choose to take either one week or two consecutive weeks’ paternity leave, which can start: -

• From the date of the child’s birth

• From a chosen number of days after the date of the child’s birth

• From a chosen date after the expected week of childbirth 

The leave can start on any day of the week on or following the child’s birth but must be completed, within 56 days of the actual date of the birth of the child or due date if the baby is early. The start and end dates are different if you are adopting.

You need to give notice of your intention to take paternity leave at least 15 weeks before the week the baby is expected.

You must inform the Institute in writing of the following:

• The week the baby is due 

• Whether you wish to take one- or two-weeks’ leave

• When you want the leave to start.

You can change your mind about the date on which you want to start leave or the length of leave providing you tell the institute at least 28 days in advance (unless this is not reasonably practicable).

During the paternity leave you will be paid Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP), which is paid at the same rate as lower Statutory Maternity Pay rate.  

You must complete a self-certificate, available from HR, as evidence of your entitlement to SPP.

The Institute will pay you an enhanced level of SPP if you meet the above conditions.  

You will be eligible for 5 days paid paternity leave, at your normal rate of pay, which can be taken instead of one week of your statutory paternity leave.  

While on paternity leave, your contract continues, and you are entitled to your normal terms and conditions apart for salary and you will return to the same job. 

Eligible employees are entitled to paternity leave and pay if they are adopting a child.

To be eligible you must:

• have been continuously employed for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the week you are matched with a child (UK adoptions)

• have been continuously employed for at least 26 weeks by either the date the child arrives in the UK or when you want the pay to start (overseas adoptions)

• confirm that your partner is getting Statutory Adoption Pay in writing or by submitting a copy of your partner’s form SC6 

• meet the other eligibility conditions for paternity leave or pay

You will need to give the Institute form SC4 for:

• leave - no later than 7 days of your co-adopter or partner being matched with a child

• pay - 28 days before you want your pay to start

For overseas adoptions the form and notice period is different. The process is explained on form SC5.

You can take paternity leave because you are adopting:

• on the date of placement

• an agreed number of days after the date of placement

• on the date the child arrives in the UK or an agreed number of days after this (overseas adoptions)

For overseas adoptions leave must be taken within 56 days of the date of placement or the child’s arrival in the UK.

You will need to give the Institute proof of adoption to qualify for paternity pay, and paternity leave.  Proof can be a letter from their adoption agency or their matching certificate.