Paternity March 2016
Internal, Paternity Policy, Version1, Page 1 of 5 March 2016
Where to find things Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Who’s this policy for?............................................................................................................................................. 3 What’s paternity leave? ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Am I eligible for paternity leave? ......................................................................................................................... 3 Am I entitled to any time off before the baby is due/child is placed? ............................................................... 3 How much paternity leave can I have? ................................................................................................................ 3 What’s paternity pay? ........................................................................................................................................... 3 How do I tell you that I want to take paternity leave? ....................................................................................... 4 Do you know about shared parental leave? ........................................................................................................ 4 What happens to my benefits when I’m on paternity leave? ............................................................................ 4 What if something sad happens? ...................................................................................................................... 4 Policy info........................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Ownership and confidentiality ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Internal, Paternity Policy, Version1, Page 2 of 5 March 2016
Introduction We want to support all of our colleagues and if you’re a parent, this document outlines our policy regarding paternity leave. It is subject to change from time to time so please ensure you are reading the most up-to-date version.
Who’s this policy for? This policy is for colleagues whose partners are having a baby or taking adoption leave. It’s is to be used as a reference to provide an overview of the key facts.
What’s paternity leave? Paternity leave is time off that you can take after the birth of your baby (or placement of your child where adopting). Paternity leave is available to parents of either sex, and to same sex partners. In male couples, one partner could have adoption leave, and one could have paternity leave. In female couples, one partner could have maternity or adoption leave, and one could have paternity leave. Paternity leave/pay automatically stops when the adopted child reaches 18 years old.
Am I eligible for paternity leave? Yes, if you have 26 weeks' continuous service at the 15th week before the due date (date on the MatB1), or at the point you are notified of being matched with a child (date of the Matching Certificate) You must also still be employed up until the date the baby is born/placement date. To be eligible for paternity leave or time off for antenatal appointments, you also need to be in a “qualifying relationship”: a) the father of the child b) married to, or the partner or civil partner of the child’s mother/father/adopter c) intended parents of a child in a surrogacy arrangement if they expect to be entitled to and intend to apply for a parental order in respect of that child. More than one person can have a “qualifying relationship” with the same woman. For example, where the father of the child and the woman’s partner/husband are different people, both individuals might be eligible to time off. Additionally, you may have a “qualifying relationship” with more than one woman and be entitled to time off with both pregnant women.
You also must have (or expect to have) responsibility for the upbringing of the child (in partnership with your partner) and be taking the time off in order to support the mother and/or care for the new child. If you are not entitled to paid paternity leave form us, please speak to your People Manager about taking holiday or unpaid parental leave.
Am I entitled to any time off before the baby is due/child is placed? Yes, if you have a “qualifying relationship” with a pregnant woman or the child you will be able to attend two antenatal appointments (for a maximum of 6.5 hours each). These appointments are to see a midwife or obstetrician, and the time off is unpaid. We don’t need to ask you for proof of the appointments. We will try to accommodate you if you want to attend more ante-natal or post-natal appointments with your partner, but this will also not be paid. We will support you where possible with shift swaps, banked hours, temporary change in hours, a change in day off etc. so that a paid option is available. If the post-natal appointment is for the child, but the mum isn’t able to attend the appointment, then we will pay you for the leave instead.
How much paternity leave can I have? Only one period of paternity leave and can be granted, regardless of how many children due or children adopted at the same time. Paternity leave is one or two consecutive weeks off work within 56 days of the child’s birth (within 56 days of the date of the child’s placement for adoption). If the baby is born early, the leave may be taken from the child’s actual date of birth and up to 56 days after the expected date of birth.
What’s paternity pay? Statutory Paternity Pay is £139.58 per week but this will be enhanced by Tesco as follows:
Stores & the Office colleagues: Both weeks will be paid at your normal weekly contractual earnings, or an average of the 2 pay periods (excluding any extraordinary one-off payments such as bonus, buyouts or pay adjustments) that take place before the 15th week prior to the due date, whichever is the greater. Distribution colleagues: For sites and individuals with the new Tesco contract: Pay for both weeks will be based on contractual earnings. For all other sites: Pay for both weeks will be based on P60 earnings
Internal, Paternity Policy, Version1, Page 3 of 5 March 2016
(excluding any extraordinary one-off payments such as bonus or buy-outs) or contractual pay (whichever is the greater).
How do I tell you that I want to take paternity leave? Complete the Notification of Paternity Leave form available from your People Manager on OurTesco and give it to your People Manager 15 weeks before the due date. If you’re adopting, you must give your People Manager the Notification of Paternity Leave form within 7 days (if possible) of being notified of your match with a child. The notice can be varied if necessary, so long as 28 days’ notice is given wherever possible.
Can I take shared parental leave? Shared parental leave is time off work that’s designed to give parents more flexibility in how to share the care of your child in the first year. If you want to take shared parental leave, you would opt out of paternity leave and into shared parental leave. You can share to up to 50 weeks’ leave as mums/primary adopters need to have at least 2 weeks off work after the birth/placement of your baby. If you qualify for shared parental leave then there are forms that you need to submit at least 8 weeks before you wish to take leave. They can be found on the link here. You can take time off together or at separate times. Shared parental leave must be taken in blocks of at least one week and can start on any day. You can apply for one block of continuous leave or discontinuous leave.
What happens to my benefits when I’m on paternity leave? Benefits The majority of benefits will remain unchanged while you are on paternity leave or shared parental leave. Please login to OurTesco for information on how your benefits will be affected while you are on shared parental leave. Careers When you’re on shared parental leave, you will be included in any talent conversations, where appropriate. We look after returners and will consider retraining, job shadowing, handovers etc. where appropriate to facilitate a smooth return to work.
What if something sad happens? Sadly, sometimes a pregnancy doesn’t have a happy ending and some colleagues will face a miscarriage or the death of their baby: Miscarriage (before 24 weeks of pregnancy) Stillborn or the baby passes away after being born If the adoption fails after placement
We can support with compassionate leave and sick leave You are entitled to your full paternity leave and pay
You are entitled to your full paternity leave and pay (but not shared parental leave)
If you’re taking paternity leave, you will continue to be entitled to 2 weeks of statutory paternity pay. If you decide to end your paternity leave within 2 weeks then any remaining pay can be shared between you and your partner. Shared parental pay is £139.58 a week. You are able to work for up to 20 days while you are on shared parental leave without this affecting your right to the leave or any pay you may be receiving. These days at work are called ‘Shared Parental Leave in Touch’ (SPLiT) days and can be taken as single days or a block of days, as agreed with your manager. For more details about shared parent leave and applying for it, then please follow the link to the full policy on OurTesco.
Internal, Paternity Policy, Version1, Page 4 of 5 March 2016
Related reading
Maternity Leave Adoption Leave Lifestyle Break Flexible Working Career Breaks
Policy info. Version No.
Date of change st
Summary of change
1
1 April 2015
New policy
2
March 2015
Update of Shared parental leave
3
January 2015
Update of pay rates
4
th
14 March 2016
Updated SPL information
Policy owner:
[email protected] Ownership and confidentiality This document shouldn’t be shared with anyone externally without permission from your Director. This policy and any associated documentation remains the property of Tesco and should be returned if requested.
Internal, Paternity Policy, Version1, Page 5 of 5 March 2016
