UK 
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Is your business going through a baby boom? With the April update, paternity leave is changing. Are you informed of the recent legislation? Read Moorepay’s advice on paternity leave FAQs below.
Paternity leave is an optional leave of absence that partners may take to bond with their new child. It’s essential that you, as a business, know your responsibilities. Although the word ‘paternity’ itself refers to men, Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay is available to all eligible employees regardless of gender.
How much paternity leave are employees entitled to in the UK?
Employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service and ongoing employment are entitled to Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay if their partner is having a baby, including through surrogacy, or if they are the secondary adopter of a child. The entitlement is 1 or 2 weeks of paternity leave, which should be taken in a block of 1 week or 2 weeks within 56 days of the birth or placement.
However, in April 2024, this changes so that paternity leave can be taken in separate one-week blocks at any time in the 52 weeks after the birth or placement. Workers who can’t get Statutory Paternity Leave may be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay to cover a non-working period.
