Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave: employer guide

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Notice period

The notice periods and forms are different if the employee is adopting.

Statutory Paternity Leave

Employees must tell you:

  • the due date - at least 15 weeks before the baby is expected
  • when they want their leave to start and how much leave they want to take - at least 28 days before they want to take it

Notice does not have to be in writing unless you request it.

Employees can ask for leave and pay in writing using the online form. This replaces form SC3. Employees will need to download or print the form after completing it and give you a copy.

When a new employee can give less notice

From 6 April 2026, employees will be eligible for Paternity Leave from their first day of employment.

To allow for this change, from 18 February 2026 until 25 July 2026, some employees will not need to give the usual 15 weeks notice of their baby’s due date.

An employee does not need to give 15 weeks notice if both of the following apply:

  • their baby is due between 5 April 2026 and 25 July 2026
  • they’ll have been employed for less than 26 weeks up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’

The qualifying week is the 15th week before the baby is due. This is different if the employee is adopting.

They’ll still need to give 28 days notice of when they want their leave to start and how much leave they want to take.

If the baby is due on or after 26 July 2026, both the usual notice periods will apply.

Statutory Paternity Pay

Employees must claim paternity pay at least 15 weeks before the week the baby is expected.

Notice does not have to be in writing unless you request it.

Employees can ask for leave and pay in writing using the online form.

Employees having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement can also use the online form. This replaces form SC4.

Employees will need to download or print the form after completing it and give you a copy.

Late notice

You can delay the leave or pay start date if the employee does not have a reasonable excuse for giving you the wrong amount of notice. To delay it, write to them within 28 days of their leave request.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Get ready to employ someone for the first time: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check that you’re taking on someone as an employee

    Follow these steps if you want to take on someone with the employment status of ‘employee’ for the first time.

    1. Check who counts as an employee

    The rules are different if you want to take on someone with another type of employment status, such as agency staff, freelancers, consultants and contractors.

    1. Check your responsibilities when you take on someone with a different employment status and contract type

  2. and Check you can afford to take on employees

    1. Check how much the National Minimum Wage is
    2. Find out how much National Insurance you need to pay for your employees
    3. Check how much sick pay your employees are eligible for
    4. Check how much you need to pay towards your employee's pension
    5. Check how much Maternity Leave you need to pay your employees
    6. Check how much Paternity Leave you need to pay your employees

  3. Step 2 Make your workplace safe and accessible for employees

    1. Prevent discrimination
    2. Make your workplace accessible for employees with disabilities or health conditions
    3. Keep employee information and data safe
    4. Find out about fire safety
    5. Find out about health and safety on the Health and Safety Executive website

  4. Step 3 Register as an employer and set up PAYE

    You need to register with HMRC so you can pay tax and national insurance for your employees.

    1. Register as an employer and set up PAYE
    2. Choose how to run payroll
    3. If you decide to run payroll yourself, choose payroll software

  5. Step 4 Check your responsibilities around workplace pensions

    1. Understand your pension responsibilities as an employer

  6. Step 5 Get Employers' Liability insurance

    1. Find out about Employers' Liability insurance

  7. Step 6 Recruit and employ someone

    1. Employ someone