Fathers could get 26 weeks extra Paternity Leave

Plans to give fathers the opportunity to take up to 26 weeks’ additional paternity leave have been put forward for consultation by the government. The proposals would allow fathers to take the leave if certain conditions were met, such as the mother returning to work.

The government is particularly interested to get feedback from business and other stakeholders on whether the father and mother should be able to self-certify themselves as eligible, how the scheme will work in practice and whether checklists and forms would allow employers to administer the scheme effectively.

The government intends to make additional paternity leave and pay also available to partners and civil partners of mothers and members of adopting couples who meet the eligibility criteria.

Jim Fitzpatrick, employment relations minister said in CIPD: “We know that people want greater flexibility to juggle their work and family life better and that more and more fathers want to play a bigger part in the upbringing of their children.