Many new fathers are reportedly not getting the paternity leave to which they are entitled.
According to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), they are being refused their right to two weeks’ paid leave simply because they have not given their employers the right amount of notice.
It said many men did not realise they had to give their firms 15 weeks’ notice – the same amount of time as women planning maternity leave.
Since paternity leave became statutory in 2003, the CAB said it has seen a steady stream of inquiries from men who were denied the extra time off.
The CAB urged the government to give fathers better-paid and longer periods of paternity leave – and more choice over when they could take time off.
