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New paternity leave rules affecting men come into force New paternity leave rules affecting men come into force
(about 7 hours later)
New paternity leave rules have come into effect meaning that parents will be legally entitled to share time off work during their baby's first year.New paternity leave rules have come into effect meaning that parents will be legally entitled to share time off work during their baby's first year.
The move means parents could take six months off work each.The move means parents could take six months off work each.
The government hopes to extend the measures with a fully flexible system of shared parental leave in 2015.The government hopes to extend the measures with a fully flexible system of shared parental leave in 2015.
However, the Federation of Small Businesses said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work and added to the administrative burden on small firms.However, the Federation of Small Businesses said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work and added to the administrative burden on small firms.
Earlier this year Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg outlined plans to press ahead with changes, first proposed by the previous government.Earlier this year Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg outlined plans to press ahead with changes, first proposed by the previous government.
Continuous contractContinuous contract
The new rules mean a man will gain the right to additional paternity leave and pay. The rules also cover adoption.The new rules mean a man will gain the right to additional paternity leave and pay. The rules also cover adoption.
Additional paternity leave (APL) will allow an employee to take up to 26 weeks' leave to care for the child, on top of two weeks of ordinary paternity leave.Additional paternity leave (APL) will allow an employee to take up to 26 weeks' leave to care for the child, on top of two weeks of ordinary paternity leave.
This can only be taken 20 or more weeks after the child's birth or placement for adoption, and once the mother has returned to work from statutory maternity or adoption leave or ended her entitlement.This can only be taken 20 or more weeks after the child's birth or placement for adoption, and once the mother has returned to work from statutory maternity or adoption leave or ended her entitlement.
The rate is £128.73 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings.The rate is £128.73 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings.
To qualify, the father must have been on a continuous contract with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.To qualify, the father must have been on a continuous contract with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.


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    • Bad news for small businesses struggling to survive in difficult trading times. Good news for older people seeking employment, if they already have a family or are past childbearing age the risk of them not being at work is far less so they become more attractive employees.
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    • @ Walrus, it's not 90% of the national average weekly earnings, but 90% of your individual average weekly earnings. And it's capped at a maximum of £128.73.So the Statutory Paternity Pay rate is £128.73 per week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings - whichever is less.
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    • How is £128.73 a week 90% of average income? That would make average income less than £7,500 per year. I thought average income was around £26,000 a year or about £380 a week after tax?
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    • Hurrah - we appear to finally be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. I welcome such an enlightened view of parenting, particularly in today's society were the traditional 'nuclear' family is dwindling. Of course, not everyone will welcome these changes and I appreciate that it will cause more administration for some. However, I don't think this is outweighed by the benefits.
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