Underwood Carpenter Employee Handbook - Latest 02 11 16

Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay
During ordinary paternity leave, most employees will be entitled to statutory paternity pay (SPP).
SPP is paid at the standard rate of statutory maternity pay (SMP), which is reviewed in April of each
year, or 90% of average weekly earnings if this is less than the SMP rate.
Notification of Intention to take Ordinary Paternity Leave
You will be required to inform the Company of your intention to take paternity leave by the 15th
week before the baby is expected, or within 7 days of being informed by the adoption agency of
a match. You will need to advise your Manager:
• The week the baby is due; or
• When the child is expected to be placed; and
• Whether you wish to take 1 or 2 weeks leave; and
• When you want your leave to start.
You are entitled to change your mind about the date on which you want your leave to start
providing you advise the Company at least 28 days in advance.
Contractual Status during Ordinary Paternity Leave
The contract of employment continues during ordinary paternity leave and entitlement to all
benefits continues, with the exception of salary (and other remuneration payments).
Return to Work After Ordinary Paternity Leave
You will be entitled to return to the same job following paternity leave.
If you decide not to return to work you must give the normal contractual notice period for
termination of employment.
If you request to return to work on different terms and conditions of employment than before the
commencement of your additional paternity leave, the Company will give reasonable
consideration to this request and will not unreasonably refuse permission. Please see the
Company’s policy on requesting flexible working.
If you would like to take further leave, you can opt in to Shared Parental Leave (SPL), please see
the Shared Parental Leave policy for more information.
Shared Parental Pay and Leave
Eligible employees will have the right to share up to 50 weeks Shared Parental Leave (SPL) to care
for a child due or adopted on or after 5th April 2015.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for Shared Parental Leave:
• The mother/primary adopter can only share the leave with the one partner/spouse or the
father of the child and this person must share the main responsibility for the care of the
child; and
• The parent intending to take SPL must be an employee and be employed for the duration
of the SPL (or at the start of each leave period); and
Employee Handbook Issue Date: November 2016
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