[UK] Key changes to paternity leave and pay regulations

Legislation changes to statutory paternity leave and pay regulations will come into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on March 8, 2024, NHS Employers reports.

The changes will apply to children due to be born or placed for adoption after April 6, 2024. 

The following statutory provisions are reportedly going to change:

• fathers and partners can choose to split their leave and pay into two non-consecutive periods of leave of a week each
• fathers and partners will be able to take their leave and pay at any time at any time during the first 52 weeks of the birth or the placement of the child for adoption
• employees will need to inform their employer of their entitlement to their leave 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth but employees will only need to give 28 days’ notice of the dates they want to take.

On March 8, 2024, Section 15.112 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook will reportedly be updated to reflect the changes to the regulations. This will include the option to split leave into two one-week blocks and the option for leave to be taken at any time during the first year of the birth or the placement of the child for adoption.

Employers should review local policies and procedures in partnership with staff sides to ensure compliance with the legislation changes.  

Full details of the changes can be read in the Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

Source: NHS Employers

(Links via original reporting)

Legislation changes to statutory paternity leave and pay regulations will come into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on March 8, 2024, NHS Employers reports.

The changes will apply to children due to be born or placed for adoption after April 6, 2024. 

The following statutory provisions are reportedly going to change:

• fathers and partners can choose to split their leave and pay into two non-consecutive periods of leave of a week each
• fathers and partners will be able to take their leave and pay at any time at any time during the first 52 weeks of the birth or the placement of the child for adoption
• employees will need to inform their employer of their entitlement to their leave 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth but employees will only need to give 28 days’ notice of the dates they want to take.

On March 8, 2024, Section 15.112 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook will reportedly be updated to reflect the changes to the regulations. This will include the option to split leave into two one-week blocks and the option for leave to be taken at any time during the first year of the birth or the placement of the child for adoption.

Employers should review local policies and procedures in partnership with staff sides to ensure compliance with the legislation changes.  

Full details of the changes can be read in the Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

Source: NHS Employers

(Links via original reporting)