Paternity leave questions

t0rt0ise

Is the father entitled to paternity leave if they don't live with the child and/or its mother though? What are the rules on this?

Hootie19

Ronaldo_Mconaldo wrote: »

How is this long distance relationship going to work when the baby is born? Call me a traditionalist but I wold have expected the dad of the baby to be living with the mum. Well unless they're separated.

sorry, maybe I should have gone into a bit more detail. The plan is for him to move up to where she lives after the baby is born. He is trying to get a transfer to the local store to where she lives, as he doesn't want to leave his job and have no money to live on. She lives in an area of high unemployment (but where isn't these days). She will be on maternity leave in a couple of weeks, but she has had problems with getting her pay sorted recently as she has had a lot of pregnancy related complications, resulting in a lot of time off work, and her employer first paying sick leave, then saying she wasn't entitled to anything, then agreeing to pay her because it was pregnancy related and her doctor wouldn't allow her to return to work, then changing their minds again . . . . meaning that her SMP is likely to be a lot less than she was expecting. I think she said her union has said she will now have to go down the grievance route to try and sort it out (I've not really got involved, so I don't know the ins and outs of it).

We did say that they could live here if they wanted to, but she doesn't want to move away from her family. Her choice, which we have to respect.


But anyway, yes, their intention is to be together as soon as possible.

Hootie19

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Is the father entitled to paternity leave if they don't live with the child and/or its mother though? What are the rules on this?

I hadn't even considered this. But he will be staying with her (she lives with her father and brother, having lost her mother a few years ago) to support her and look after her and the baby as much as possible.

He will speak to work tomorrow, but I have told him to prepare to be told he is not entitled to paternity leave. He has a fair bit of annual leave accrued, so if they are feeling generous, they might allow him to use some of that.

Hootie19

He's been very lucky, I think. We went into work today to ask about paternity leave, and it has been granted, just like that. All he had to do was fill out a form today. His girlfriend has been told that she will be induced on 18th December, so at least they have a more realistic idea of when the baby will be born. My son is having two weeks leave. He's not sure about the pay aspect, but he's pretty good with his money and has saved a decent stash so he'll be able to weather it if he gets paid a lot less than his wages.

Thank you for all the advice and the links etc. I can't believe he's been this lucky!

Hootie19

Thought I'd update you, as you were all so helpful when I first posted.

Well baby didn't want to wait until it was convenient for daddy's paternity leave, and made his grand debut into the world at 11.55am yesterday morning. My son was at work when he got the call saying that his girlfriend was in labour and it looked like it was going to be quick. We set off straight away, but unfortunately we didn't make it in time. However, his employers have allowed him until Tuesday off work and have asked if he would stick to the original paternity leave date of 16th December, as they have no cover for him. Given that they have allowed him to make his request for paternity leave quite late, and that they're giving him these few days off now, he's agreed (give 'n' take, right?).

And another good bit of news is that a supervisor's job has become available at the branch in the town where his girlfriend works, so he's going to apply for that, and if all goes well, they'll all be a happy little family living together really soon.

What a lovely end to this year. We had a granddaughter born near the beginning, and a perfect, teeny tiny (5lbs 4oz) grandson born at the end.

Grandad and I are just walking around like this :D:D:D:D:D at the moment!

hcb42

great results all round there Congratulations!!