Acas calls for understanding of fathers' workplace rights

With Father’s Day this Sunday (20 June), Acas is urging working dads or dads-to-be to take the opportunity to make sure they understand their rights in the workplace. They are being urged to ask questions such as:

• When can I take time off?
• Will I get paid?
• Can I apply for flexible working?

With extended rights coming in from April next year allowing working dads to take additional paternity leave, Acas says it’s important that dads know their workplace rights.

Acas has issued practical guidance on working dads’ rights (including adoptive fathers) in the workplace and guidance on other issues including paternity leave and flexible working. 

From April 2011, new fathers can take advantage of additional paternity leave (APL) and pay during the second six months of the child’s life, if the mother wishes to return to work with maternity leave outstanding. This aims to enable parents to share a period of paid leave between them, giving families greater flexibility in how they choose to look after their children.

In order to give employers time to adjust, the changes will be introduced for parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.

Employed fathers are currently entitled to two weeks' paid paternity leave and mothers to 52 weeks' maternity leave, of which up to 39 weeks are paid. Employed parents are also entitled to a total of 13 weeks' unpaid parental leave until the child’s fifth birthday. Parents of children aged 16 and under have the right to request flexible working. These rights will not be affected by the introduction of additional paternity leave.

The Regulations, confirmed in January 2010, will mean: 

• Fathers will be entitled to up to six months' extra leave, which can be taken once the mother has returned to work;
• This new provision will be available during the second six months of the child’s life, giving parents the option of dividing a period of paid leave entitlement between them;
• Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s 39 week maternity pay period. This would be paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (currently £123.06); and
• Parents will be required to 'self certify' by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HMRC will both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.