Paternity leave changes in April 2010 for babies born April 2011
Mothers will be able to transfer leave to the fathers to give parents additional choice and flexibility as to how they use maternity and paternity leave it has changed the allowances and rules as follows:Currently, employed fathers are entitled to two weeks paid paternity leave and mothers to 52 weeks maternity leave, of which up to 39 weeks are paid. Under the new law, mothers would be able to transfer the final six months of their maternity leave to the father once the mother has returned to work.
Parents will be required to "self certify" by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HM Revenue & Customs would both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.
"Since 1997, the government doubled maternity leave; doubled maternity pay; introduced paternity leave; more than doubled good quality affordable childcare places; and introduced the right to request flexible working,"
In order to give employers time to adjust to the new scheme, it will be introduced for children due on or after 3 April 2011.