Posted Date: 21st March 2024

The Paternity Leave Amendment Regulations 2024 will apply for eligible fathers and parents whose expected week of childbirth or adoption falls on or after 6 April 2024.

The changes allow paternity leave to be taken in two separate blocks of one week at any point in the first 52 weeks following the birth of adoption of their child, instead of having to take them consecutively.

The notice employees need to provide their employers has been split into two parts. They will need to give initial notice to their employer of their intention to take paternity leave 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth or adoption. However, following this, they only need to give 28 days’ notice of the dates they wish to take.

To make changes to the dates, 28 days’ notice should be given to employers.

These changes provide fathers and partners with more flexibility, allowing them to take their time off with their new family member at a time which suits the whole family.

Other family-friendly regulations will also come into effect on 6th April 2024, including carer’s leave, the right to make flexible working requests from day one and enhanced redundancy protections for new parents.

Your Paternity Policy should be amended in line with these changes. For support with this matter, please feel free to contact us.