12 February 2012
This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
You may be able to take up to two weeks' paid paternity leave. You must have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.
If your baby is due on or after 3 April 2011 and your partner doesn't take all of her maternity leave, you may be able to take paternity leave for the rest of the time she's entitled to.
You may also have the right to 13 weeks' unpaid parental leave if you have worked for your employer for over one year. Parental leave has to be taken before your child is five years old. The rules are different if your child has a disability – you have the right to 18 weeks' unpaid parental leave which has to be taken before the child is 18. Both parents are entitled to this leave - mothers and fathers.
If your partner returns to work, she will have access to the same rights to parental leave in addition to whatever maternity leave she may be due.
These rules apply even if you aren’t married to the baby's mother and also if you are the civil partner of the baby's mother.
Some employers give extra paid leave for the birth of a new child so you should check your contract of employment.
For more information about paternity and maternity rights, see Parental rights at work.
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