Important Paid

Important Paid Leave Changes On The Way  

As the majority of domestic staff are women and many with families, a major change to Paternity  paid leave has now been agreed that may well affect them. 

The changes are as follows; 

Currently paternity leave can be taken either as 1 week or 2 consecutive weeks of leave. This will be changed to either 2 consecutive weeks of leave or 2 separate blocks of 1 week of leave at any point in the first year.  

Currently, paternity leave must be taken within 8 weeks of the birth (or placement for adoption). This will be extended to within 52 weeks.  

Currently, for new births, notice as to new fathers’ entitlement to take leave, the duration and start date must be given by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (unless that’s not reasonably practicable). 

The start date can be changed by giving 28 days’ notice. This will be changed so that only the entitlement to take leave must be given by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (unless this isn’t reasonably practicable) and only 28 days’ notice of the dates that they intend to take each period of leave.  

These changes have not yet become law and may take up to 12 months to come into effect.  When the effective date is announced, we will inform you. 

 The change is one of over 50 new regulations for employers in the Good Work Plan 2020. However, research has shown that up to 65% of employers are unaware of its implications. 

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.