Paternity Leave Advice Needed Please

Seadogs_2010

Hi Everyone
I would like some advice regarding Paternity Pay. My employer has to pay me my two weeks Paternity leave when our child is born (he is due next week).
The thing is I wrote a letter to my employer saying I would like an extra five days off unpaid leave after my two weeks have finished to help look after my child and partner who at this minute in time can barely move as she has trapped nerves in her back.

My employer isnt the most understanding but from what the office staff have told me this will be fine.
I would just like to know how much unpaid leave a father is entitled to, I think its 26weeks.
I would just like my rights confirmed please.

Thanks for any help

ALI1973

I think you are referring to Parental Leave, in which case its 13 weeks, details are here

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Parentalleaveandflexibleworking/DG_10029416

Js_Other_Half

Ordinary Paternity Leave is 2 weeks. Additional Paternity Leave is up to 26 weeks.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Paternityrightsintheworkplace/index.htm

"
The basics of Additional Paternity Leave and Pay

You may qualify for Additional Paternity Leave and Pay if either:

• you are the father of a child due on or after 3 April 2011
• your wife, partner or civil partner is pregnant and due to give birth to a child on or after 3 April 2011
• you and your partner receive notification that you are matched with a child for adoption on or after 3 April 2011
• your spouse, civil partner or partner (including same-sex relationships) is adopting a child from overseas and the child enters Great Britain on or after 3 April 2011

Additional Paternity Leave is for a maximum of 26 weeks. If your partner has returned to work, the leave can be taken between 20 weeks and one year after your child is born or placed for adoption. You may be entitled to receive Additional Statutory Paternity Pay during your partner's Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance or Adoption Pay period.
Additional Statutory Paternity Pay is paid if you either:

• take Additional Paternity Leave
• are not working for the purposes of caring for your child, during your partner's Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance or Statutory Adoption Pay period

The current rate is £128.73 a week or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings, if that is less.
To qualify for Additional Paternity Leave you must be an employee. For Additional Statutory Paternity Pay you must be an employed earner and both you and your partner must meet certain criteria that are set out below. If you are unsure if you are an employee, follow the link below."

hawk30

OP, as you want to take leave (outside of the statutory two weeks of ordinary paternity leave) and your partner will be on maternity leave, you need parental leave rather than additional paternity leave. Follow the link ALI1973 gave you. You can only take additional paternity leave if your partner is entitled to Statutory Maternity Leave, Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance or Statutory Adoption Leave or Pay AND your partner has returned to work.