Dads’ rights in the workplace
UK fathers are entitled to:
• Request flexible working. Parents of a child 16 or under, are entitled to request flexible working such as flexi time, part time or working from home, and, by law, an employer must seriously consider the request
• Paid paternity leave. New dads can take two weeks’ paid leave at a standard rate (currently £123.06) per week.. They need to notify their employer 15 weeks before the due date
• Parental leave. Dads (and mums) have the right to take up to 13 weeks unpaid leave to care for their child until he or she is five years old (if they have completed one year’s service with their employer).
The Government is introducing a new right to Additional Paternity leave and pay for fathers of children due on or after 3 April 2011. This will give fathers a right to up to six months extra leave which can be taken in the second six months of the child’s life, once the mother has returned to work. Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s maternity pay period. This will be paid at the same standard rate as SPP which is currently £123.06.
For information about workplace rights, dads should go to www.direct.gov.uk/dadsatwork.
The Fatherhood Institute is campaigning for a more equitable system of parental leave, including paternity leave paid at a high percentage of salary. Read our proposals.
