Paternity (or Partner) Leave often gets mixed up with Parental Leave, which is a completely different statutory right.

Paternity leave is time off work granted to the partner of a person with a newly born child or newly adopted child. As from April 2003, employees are entitled up to 4 weeks Paternity Leave and Pay if they have 26 weeks service by the end of the 15th week before the Expected Week of Birth and have earnings greater than £97/week as of 6th April 2010.

Further information can be found in the following Advice Note or by following links to other useful sites.

Paternity Leave and Pay Advice Note (Word)
Paternity Leave and Pay Advice Note (PDF)

Where can I get more information:

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) provides information and guidance on a wide range of employment and industrial relations matters. The service is confidential and totally independent. ACAS 's phone number is in your local phone book (08457 474747).

The Governments Directgov website provides full information and guidance on employment legislation relating to "Work and Families". The Directgov website compiles information from all Government depts. and is an excellent starting point for obtaining further information.

Note: Forthcoming Change in 2011

For babies expected to be born/adopted on/after 3rd April 2011, mothers will be able to return to work early (no sooner than six months after the birth of child) and that any remaining maternity or adoption leave and pay can effectively be "transferred" as additional paternity leave/pay rights to eligible fathers/partners. More information to follow when the full details are known.