If you are a father to be or will share the responsibility with a partner for bringing up a child, you may have the right to Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay. This includes adoptive fathers-to-be.

To qualify you will have worked continuously for your employer for 26 weeks ending with the 15th week before the baby is due, or the end of the week in which the child's adopter is notified of being matched with the child.

Paternity leave is available to employees who:

• have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing
• are the biological father of the child or the mother's husband or partner and
• have worked continuously for their employer for 26 weeks ending with the 15th week before the baby is due or the end of the week in which the child's adopter is notified of being matched with the child.

Those who are eligible can choose to take either one week or two consecutive weeks' paid paternity leave (not odd days).

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Further information

Advisory booklet

• Advisory booklet - Flexible working and work-life balance
• Advisory booklet - Delivering Equality & Diversity

Advice leaflet

• Advice leaflet - The right to apply for flexible working: A short guide for employers, working parents and carers

Other Sites

• Business Link - Maternity, paternity and adoption
• Directgov - Dads at work: your rights
• Directgov - Paternity rights in the workplace