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What happens to your holiday entitlement when you're on paternity leave?

You’ll still build up your entitlement to paid holiday during paternity leave. Statutory annual leave is currently 4.8 weeks per year but your contract may provide for more.

You cannot take annual leave during paternity leave but you may be able to extend your time off by taking a period of annual leave immediately before or after paternity leave.

• Holiday entitlements: introduction

What happens to your pension contributions when you're on paternity leave?

If your employer contributes to an occupational pension scheme they must carry on making their usual contributions for the whole time you are on paid paternity leave. If you normally make contributions to your pension you should carry on doing so, based on the amount of paternity pay that you are getting.

Can I return to the same job when I return?

At the end of your paternity leave, you have the right to return to the same job as before on the same terms and conditions of employment as if you had not been absent, unless a redundancy situation has arisen. An employee on paternity leave should be treated in the same way as any other employee during a redundancy situation, including being consulted about the redundancy and being considered for other jobs.

• More information on redundancy

You are also entitled to benefit from any general improvements to the rate of pay or other terms and conditions introduced while you were away.

It is unlawful for your employer to dismiss you or treat you unfairly as a result of taking paternity leave or seeking to take paternity leave.

If you do not wish to return to work, you should give notice in accordance with your contract of employment. You do not have to pay Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) back even if you do not return to work.

• Find out more information on Statutory Sick Pay (money, tax and benefits sections)

Taking parental leave after paternity leave

If you need more time off to look after your child you may be able to take parental leave. You can take up to four weeks parental leave without impacting on your right to return. If you take more than four weeks you will be able to return to the same job unless this is not reasonably practicable, in which case you must be offered alternative work that is suitable to you and with terms and conditions as if you hadn’t been absent.

• More about parental leave

Flexible working

As the parent of a child under six, or if the child is disabled under 18, you are entitled to request a flexible working pattern. This can help you balance caring for your child and work. Your employer must consider your request and respond to you in writing.

• Flexible working and work-life balance: an introduction

What to do if you have problems

If you experience problems while you are on paternity leave, talk to your boss or the person above them or go to the human resources or personnel department. If you have an employee representative (eg a trade union official), they may be able to help.

If this doesn't work, you may need to make a complaint using your employer's internal grievance procedure.

If you're still unhappy you have the right to make a complaint to an Employment Tribunal.

• How to resolve a problem at work

Where to get help

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 47 47 47 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Acas Opens new window

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues for residents of Northern Ireland. You can contact the LRA on 028 9032 1442 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Labour Relations Agency Opens new window

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.

• Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau Opens new window

If you are a member of a trade union, you can get help, advice and support from them.

More useful links

• Parental leave and flexible working
• Money and work entitlements (parents section)
• Guidance on paternity rights in Northern Ireland Opens new window
• Advice for employers on paternity rights from businesslink.gov.uk Opens new window
• Advice for employers in Northern Ireland on maternity, paternity and adoption from nibusinessinfo Opens new window