Forum : Pregnancy

Hi mandy, they are incorrect about your partner having to work there for a year to qualify for paternity leave, all employees are entitled to ordinary paternity leave if they have worked there for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. Even so I think your partner will have missed out on this occasion. He is entitled to take holiday, but won't his employers be a little bit flexible on this? If he said he would be taking two weeks between such and such dates as obviously you don't know if the baby will be early or late. I think he needs to speak to his boss and see if they can come to a more reasonable arrangement. If not there is such a thing called compassionate leave where any employee is entitled to take unpaid time off work to care for a dependent (in this case it would be you and the baby!!) but you would need to look into this further, maybe contact the citizens advice bureau for more advice :-))xx

Thanks buffy, he's going to try and have another word with his boss tomorrow to see if they can sort something out, apparently the others who have worked there longer have more priority over when they want to take their holidays but that doesn't help us!! I know people have to take holidays but surely there can be some allowance for having a baby! Hopefully we can sort it out, I don't like to think of him not being there with us full time for the first couple of weeks xx

I hope he gets some joy. It would help if his boss has kids himself but sometimes those that don't really don't seem to have a clue!! You'd think if your baby is due in january that there wouldn't be lots of people wanting to take their holidays then wouldn't you. Good luck, you really shouldn't have to worry about this, fingers crossed boss is in a good and agreeable mood tomorrow lol!! :-))xx

buffy is absolutely right, he is entitled to paternity leave as long as he has worked for the employer for 26 weeks before the 15th week before childbirth (so by the time you are 25 weeks pregnant). the only time he may not be entitled to it is if he is an agency worker or sub-contractor. as long as your other half complies with all the notification rules, then there is no reason your employer can refuse his paternity leave. if he still doesnt get any joy with his employer, then contact citizens advice bureau for steps that can be taken after that