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Hey Dad.info,
Me and my partner are expecting our child mid December (roughly 7 weeks from when I'm making this post) and I'm confused about what my rights are for statutory pay and leave.
My background:
- I have been continuously employed since Oct 2020
- One job I have worked from Oct 2020 - Oct 22nd 2021
- My new job I have worked from Oct 25th 2021 - current
- Our baby is due in 7 weeks
This means that I have been continuously employed throughout the pregnancy, but I have changed employer, which seems to have lost me all my rights.
I emailed HR for my new job today and they said as I have not been working for them for the past 26 weeks they were not obliged to give me any paternity leave or pay at all. They said I could talk to my manager and ask for unpaid time off, but that it was not guaranteed.
My main question is:
- Am I 100% not owed any leave, even if only unpaid
- Am I not owed any statutory pay from the government at all? I've been employed and paying taxes the whole pregnancy
I hope I've explained myself clearly enough.
It does look like they are correct:
https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility
and
https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/eligibility
It may be worth speaking to citizens advice bureau, I'm not sure whether you would be able to claim it from your old employer as you were still with them 15 weeks before the due date.
Hi
Unfortunately not entitled to statutory paternity leave/pay as you have changed employers.
Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! I can understand why you're confused about your rights for statutory pay and leave. It's important to know your rights as an employee and a new parent.
From my understanding, you should still be eligible for statutory paternity pay even though you've changed employers, as long as you meet certain criteria. It may be worth reaching out to your previous employer to see if you're eligible for any paternity pay or leave. Additionally, you may be eligible for shared parental leave, which could provide some additional time off.
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