Regulations published to make paternity leave more flexible

The Government has published draft regulations to implement the changes to paternity leave announced in June 2023. For birth parents, the new rules will apply where the expected week of birth begins after 6th April 2024.

The key changes are as follows:

• It will be possible to take two separate blocks of leave of one week each, rather than having to take the leave in one continuous period
• Fathers and partners will be able to take their leave at any time in the first year, rather than just in the first eight weeks after birth or placement for adoption
• The notice period required for each period of leave will be shortened to four weeks

These amendments to the paternity leave regime will coincide with a number of other changes to family-related employment rights – see our earlier blog here for more details.