The following employees, who have or expect to have responsibility for the child’s upbringing, are entitled to a maximum of 2 weeks’ paid paternity leave under the University paternity policy, regardless of their length of service and entitlement to statutory paternity benefits:
- Biological father of a child.
- Mother’s husband, partner (of either sex) or civil partner who expects to have responsibility for the child’s upbringing.
- Employee of either sex who is adopting a child but is not taking adoption leave.
If you wish to take paternity leave, you may apply on the paternity leave application form (CHRIS/65). You should complete and submit to your department HR team the CHRIS/65 no later than the fifteenth week before the baby is expected, or within seven days of being notified by the adoption agency that you have been matched with a child for adoption, unless this is not reasonably practicable. Department teams should send all approved forms to cshrstaffhub@admin.cam.ac.uk for processing.
If for any reason you wish to change the start date of the leave period, you should give at least 28 days’ notice of the change, unless this is not reasonably practicable.
If the baby is born early, you must contact your department outlining the child’s new date of birth and re state your paternity leave start and end date.
Confirmation of leave
On receipt of the paternity application form, the Clinical School HR team will write to the member of staff confirming that leave has been granted.
Time off for antenatal appointments
Employees who are expectant fathers or partners may take unpaid time off during working hours on up to two occasions to accompany their pregnant partner/the child’s mother to antenatal appointments.
Benefits during leave
During paternity leave the contract of employment continues in force. All terms and conditions of the contract continue with the exception of stipend or salary. Continuity of service is maintained, and any standard incremental progression taking place during the paternity leave will be implemented.
Effect on sabbatical leave
For academic staff with an entitlement to leave under Statute D,II,5, all terms during which paternity leave is taken will counted as reckonable service for sabbatical leave purposes.
