New Dads missing out on time with their Newborns

The TUC says that one in four men who became fathers in 2016 didn’t qualify for paternity leave or pay.

“In 2016 there were around 625,000 working dads around the UK with a child under one. However, a quarter of them (25%) – more than 157,000 new fathers – did not qualify for the up to two weeks’ statutory paternity leave and statutory paternity pay.”

The main reason given by the TUC is that they were self-employed. Self-employed mums who are eligible receive maternity allowance; however dads who work for themselves do not get a similar paternity allowance. 

The second most common reason was that dads didn’t get paid paternity leave or pay because they had not been working for their employer for long enough. Employees are required to have at least six months’ service with their current employer by the 15th week before the baby is due to qualify for paternity leave.

The TUC is calling on the government to give new fathers:

1. A right to statutory paternity leave for all workers from day one in the job.

2. Increased paternity pay. The TUC wants the government to increase statutory paternity pay to at least minimum wage levels.

3. A paternity allowance for dads who are not eligible for statutory paternity pay. This would be similar to the maternity allowance which self-employed mothers and mothers who haven’t been with their employers long enough can claim.

4. Dedicated leave for dads. An additional month of well-paid parental leave reserved for fathers only.

If you are an employer seeking advice on your employee obligations or an affected employee, then please call our Shrewsbury office on 01743 248148 for an initial discussion with our Edmund Coxhead or Ryan Bickham.