What are the proposed changes for paternity rights?

Back in 2019 the Good Work Plan was published, which highlighted possible reforms to the family friendly legislation and the Government has now published a response: Parental Leave and Pay: good work plan: proposals to support families (publishing.service.gov.uk)

While the Good Work Plan covered maternity and other parental rights, this current response focuses on paternity rights.  The changes would mean that employed fathers and partners:

1. will be able to take the current two weeks’ statutory paternity leave entitlement in two separate blocks of one week, rather than either having to take one week or two weeks as currently.
    
2. will be able to take the statutory paternity leave at any time in the first 52 weeks, rather than in the first eight weeks following birth or adoption;
    
3. Will be required to give less notice of the intended leave. The requirement to give a notice of entitlement to take paternity leave will remain at 15 weeks before birth or placement, but the notice to take leave will be reduced to 28 days.

Shared parental leave was also considered in the response and while many concerns were highlighted about the complexity of the scheme and lack of take up, there are no plans to change it. Did you know that there is an assessment tool available: Are you having a child through birth, adoption or surrogacy? – Check if you can get shared parental leave and pay – GOV.UK (check-shared-parental-leave.service.gov.uk)

It will be important for businesses to keep an eye on these developments and review their paternity leave policies in due course.