Paternity Pay help

[Road2Ruin]

Hi Chaps,

A friend of mine has just been informed by his employer that he is not entitled to Paternity pay (or leave) throught them. This is correct as he has not worked for them long enough (will be about 7 months by the time the baby is born). They have given him a form to say why and said to take it to the job centre. Is this then the same as SSP that the job centre will then pay him the SPP and he has to take unpaid leave? Or is he just going to miss out and have to take holiday?

Many thanks
Peter

[anonymous-user]

He will find all the information he needs on www.direct.gov.uk.

A simple google brings this page up...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Be...

[Road2Ruin]

Thanks for that but it doesn't give the information we require, I have looked at this page. There seems to be a lack of info on what a person may or may not be entitled to if their employer cannot pay SPP. It is most likely that he will not get anything and will have to take any remaining holiday but it is really hard to find a definative answer.

[ralphrj]

Road2Ruin said:

Thanks for that but it doesn't give the information we require, I have looked at this page. There seems to be a lack of info on what a person may or may not be entitled to if their employer cannot pay SPP. It is most likely that he will not get anything and will have to take any remaining holiday but it is really hard to find a definative answer.

If you go to the webpage Inkyfingers provided there is a link to personalised guidance on paternity rights. If you put in the details of someone who will have worked less then 26 continuous weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due it says:

directgov said:

You are not entitled to Ordinary Paternity Leave or Pay because, either you have not been working for your employer for long enough or your average weekly pay is too low. To qualify you need to work for your employer from the 40th week before the expected birth date all the way up to the date the baby is actually born. You also need to have an average weekly pay over £107. However, you may still be able to arrange with your employer to take some time off.
Should you choose to take time off to care for your new child or the mother you may be entitled to claim benefits whilst you take this time off.

In summary,

No right to paternity leave.

No right to paternity pay.

However, he may be able to claim benefits if he chooses to take time off. What he will get will depend on his circumstances (such as if the leave is unpaid or part of his annual holiday entitlement).