Staff Handbook UK

Notification Part One

To qualify for Paternity Leave you should notify your line manager in writing in or before the 15th week before the EWC (In the case of adoption, within 7 days of being notified of a match). Your written notification should specify: • the EWC (or expected date of placement), • that you intend to take Paternity Leave, and • that you meet the eligibility criteria for Paternity Leave (as set out above). You may be required to show evidence to support your eligibility. Further details of evidential requirements will be provided if that is the case. Part Two You must give at least 28 days’ written notice of the dates that you intend to take Paternity Leave, for each period of Paternity Leave. Your written notice must include confirmation that you intend to take the time off to support the mother/adopter and/or to care for the child. If you wish to change the dates or cancel the leave once notice has been given, wherever reasonably practicable you must give written notice of the change or cancellation no later than 28 days before the leave booked, or 28 days before the new start date of the leave if earlier. Start and Duration of Paternity Leave Paternity Leave cannot start earlier than the actual date of birth or adoption. You can choose to start the leave: • on the actual date of birth or adoption, • on a date falling on a specified number of days after the actual birth date or adoption, or • on a specific date that falls after the EWC or expected date of adoption The duration of Paternity Leave is two weeks in total which may be taken in one-week blocks, as you choose. You cannot take odd days. You must ensure that your paternity leave ends no later than 52 weeks after the start of the EWC (or the date of birth, if later) or expected date of placement. In the event that: • you are notified that the placement for adoption will no longer be made, • the adoptive child is returned, or • the child dies,

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