Changes to Eligibility for Statutory Paternity Leave and Ordinary Parental Leave to Become Day-One Employment Rights

Implementation date: From 6 April 2026

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The Employment Rights Act 2025 will remove the qualifying periods for paternity leave (currently 26 weeks) and ordinary parental leave (currently one year), making them both day-one rights.  It will also remove the restriction on employees taking paternity leave and pay after they have taken shared parental leave and pay. 

Employees who are newly eligible for day-one paternity and parental leave can give notice from 18 February 2026.

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If you would like some guidance on these changes, would like to audit your family friendly policies and procedures, or would like to update your staff handbook, please do let us know on info@sos-hr.co.uk or call 01473 276 170.

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