Paternity Leave Policy - April 2026
In this section
- Introduction
- Scope
- Entitlement to paternity leave (birth)
- Entitlement to paternity leave (adoption)
- Amount of paternity leave you can take
- Timing of paternity leave
- Notice to take paternity leave (birth)
- Notice to take paternity leave (adoption within the UK)
- Notice to take paternity leave (adoption from overseas)
- Late notice
- Changing your paternity leave plans
- Paternity pay
- Further information
- Maternity/Adoption Support Leave (M/ASL)
- Your rights during paternity leave
- Neonatal care leave
- Bereaved partner's paternity leave
- Returning to work after paternity leave
- Time off for antenatal appointments
- Time off to attend adoption appointments
- Data protection
- Additional leave
- Re-instating lost pension because of unpaid paternity leave
- Abuse of the Paternity Leave policy
- Ensuring equality of opportunity
Late notice
If extenuating circumstances mean that it is not possible for you to meet the deadlines for giving notice as set out in this policy, we will accept later notice than this. Examples of extenuating circumstances include if you have been absent from work on sick leave or if a pregnancy is discovered very late.
In these circumstances, you should let us know that you would like to take paternity leave as soon as you reasonably can.
If there are no extenuating circumstances, you will be unable to take paternity leave. However, we will discuss other options with you, including you and your partner switching to shared parental leave, you booking annual leave, or a request for unpaid ordinary parental leave.