Has the UK fallen behind with Paternity Leave
09 November 2018
According to research conducted by First4lawyers, just under thirty countries which included Iran, Congo and Burkina Faso, offered more favorable benefits for new dads than the UK.
The study found that these countries had much better paternity benefits than Britain, where fathers are entitled to just 10 days off at either £140.98 or 90% of your weekly average earnings (whichever is lower) after they have a child.
Whilst shared parental leave was introduced in the UK in 2015 with much fanfare, giving parents the right to split up to 52 weeks between them, research since shows that just 1 per cent of dads have been able to take up the benefit.
The survey also found that the majority of countries also offered better paternity leave at 100 per cent of pay and numerous countries offered more generous leave than the UK’s two weeks.
The survey placed Sweden at the top, offering 18 weeks for new dads while receiving 80% of their salary. Most other countries such as Denmark, Poland and Iran whilst only offering the same as the UK being two weeks offered the same a 100% pay.
Mothers too, according to a TUC report in March 2018 found that mothers in Britain receive just six weeks of what they call “decently-paid” maternity leave, putting the UK way down on the list.
The law surround maternity and paternity leave can often be a tricky one to navigate. Contact our employment team….