Paternity Leave

More detail can be found in our Paternity Leave policy.

You need to inform your line manager and HR Business Partner of your intention to take leave at least 15 weeks before the due date of your baby. Or, if you are adopting, you will need to notify your line manager and HR Business Partner of your intention to take leave no later than seven days after you receive notification from your adoption agency that you have been matched with a child.
To do this you will also need to complete and sign a self certificate form (SC3), which will confirm if you are entitled to take paternity leave and receive statutory paternity pay. This can be found at on the Government website.
You will need to confirm the date that you intend to start the leave. This would be an indicative date based on the expected date of birth or due date. You would notify your line manager and HR as soon is practicable to let them know if the date is earlier or later.
HR will write to you to confirm your leave entitlement.
Once HR receive the form and have a confirmed start date, the payroll and pensions team will be notified of your leave plan

Am I entitled to take paternity leave, and how long will this be?

If your partner becomes pregnant after your employment started with the University, you are entitled to two weeks of Ordinary Paternity Leave.
If you and your partner adopt a child, one of you can take Adoption Leave and one of you can take Paternity Leave, as long as you meet qualifying criteria. You must have 26 weeks continuous service with the University by the end of the 15th week before the anticipated placement date and have responsibility for the care of the child.

How much paternity leave can I take?

If you are eligible you can take up to two weeks of Ordinary Paternity Leave

When can I take paternity leave?

The leave must be taken within eight weeks of the birth of your child. If your child is born prematurely, then you can take the leave any time between the actual birth date and the eight week period starting from the Sunday of the expected week of confinement.
If you are adopting, you can take the leave any time within eight weeks of your child being placed with you.

Will my paternity leave be paid?

If your partner became pregnant after your employment at the university began, you will be entitled to University Paternity Pay for the first week and Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay for the second week (as long as your earnings do not fall below the lower earnings limit for National Insurance Contributions).
University Paternity Pay is equivalent to full pay, and will include any Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay entitlement.
- Please consult the Gov.UK website for details of the current Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay rate.
- If your adopted child is placed with you while you are employed by the University, regardless of the length of your employment, you are entitled to University Paternity Pay for the first week and Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay for the second week (as long as your earnings do not fall below the lower earnings limit for National Insurance Contributions).

Can I take additional leave?

You may be eligible for Shared parental leave if you and your partner are looking to share the maternity leave.
You can request to take annual leave through your line manager in the usual way.

What happens with my annual leave entitlement?

While on paternity leave, you continue to accrue your annual leave entitlement.
You can add holiday to the beginning or end of your paternity leave. We encourage staff to take their annual leave in the correct leave year.
You will be able to discuss the best options regarding how to incorporate annual leave with your HR Business Partner.