Changes to Paternity Leave

The Government has published draft paternity leave regulations, in the form of the Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

Although the regulations are still in draft, the main terms are unlikely to change. These regulations will come into force on the 8th of March 2024 and will apply to any child whose expected week of childbirth is after the 6th of April 2024.

The main changes to paternity leave include:

• An employee will be able to choose to take a single period of one or two weeks of paternity leave or two non-consecutive weeks of paternity leave.

• The period in which paternity leave must be taken will be extended from 56 days after the birth of the child to 52 weeks after the child is born.

Although these regulations are not in force yet, you should review your paternity leave policy and be prepared to make these amendments.

For further HR advice or guidance in relation to the topic above, get in touch with the Lansbury HR Consultants. We are here to support businesses nationally and locally in Burton-on-Trent, Swadlincote, and Derby.