When does paternity leave start?

[Steven5]

My employer has said my paternity leave starts the day I phone in to say I'm not coming because the Mrs is gone into labour...but I keep on reading on the net that it can't start until the baby is born?

its just I've got 2 weeks paternity leave and if my mrs is in labour for 2 or 3 days I would have used 2-3 days just on the labour and not when the baby is actually here

could anyone please clarify when does it actually start and is that applicable to all retail workers?

thanks

[Kati]

Re: When does paternity leave start?

It's when the baby is born - https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/leave

Start and end dates

Leave can’t start before the birth. It must end within 56 days of the birth.

You must give your employer 28 days’ notice if you want to change your start date.

You don’t have to give a precise date when you want to take leave (eg 1 February). Instead you can give the general time, eg the day of the birth or 1 week after the birth.

[Kati]

Re: When does paternity leave start?

from the same link:

Eligibility

You must be taking time off to look after the child and be one of the following:

• the father
• the husband or partner of the mother (or adopter)
• the child’s adopter
• the intended parent (if you’re having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement)

There are extra conditions you need to meet to qualify for leave and pay or additional leave or pay.

Paternity Leave

You must:

• be an employee
• have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (known as the ‘qualifying week’)
• give the correct notice

Paternity Pay

You must:

• have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (known as the ‘qualifying week’)
• be employed by your employer up to the date of birth
• earn at least £112 a week (before tax)
• give the correct notice