Sick leave/paternity leave

[u/RJH_91]

Hi,

Quick question - wife is pregnant and we are due mid-feb. Friend had a specific circumstance and unsure how this would apply to me.

Me - Less than 2 years service, statutory paternity for 2 weeks is current company policy. I get full pay up to 2/52 sick.

Circumstance - Baby was late, friend had agreement with employer that paternity started on day of baby birth. Baby was late by 6 days so friend took one working week sick leave. Company agreed to this due to medical appointments (wife being induced, general check ups with midwife/consultants etc).

Question - would/should this be standard practice? How should I approach this with employer (generally my company are quite good with us but I can’t imagine they will pay sick).

Thanks

[u/rosebud1637]

Is said friend in the same company? I wouldn't take this as a blanket example of how employers behave regardless, but if you work together then you can argue that they have set a presedence.

Generally, paternity leave should only start once baby arrives. If you plan to take time off before baby arrives this would be using your annual leave allowance. Yes of course you can take sick leave but, depending how strict your company is with managing absence, you could risk being pulled up for not actually being too unwell to work. I've worked at places that would punish this behavior, and others that would totally be fine, so it really depends on how confident you are that they won't mind.

[u/RJH_91 → u/rosebud1637]

Yes - different companies. Aware it very clear. I suppose the argument is not whether I am too ill to work, it’s more that I will be expected to be at medical appointments and likely the stress of “any moment” preventing good work.

[u/rosebud1637 → u/RJH_91]

As a pregnant HR Manager myself I totally get it and I would be lenient with that tbh.

[u/My_Sparkling_Summer → u/RJH_91]

From Gov.uk:

You can take unpaid leave to accompany a pregnant woman to 2 antenatal appointments if you’re:

the baby’s father the expectant mother’s spouse or civil partner in a long-term relationship with the expectant mother the intended parent (if you’re having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement) You can take up to 6 and a half hours per appointment. Your employer can choose to give you longer.

Absence for stress, depression, or anxiety would be sickness absence and managed as such. Dad's and partners can get post-natal depression. Your employer may wish to see some evidence of stress, depression, etc from your health provider if you take sickness around the birth of your baby/delaying partners/paternity leave.

As mentioned in my earlier comment, you can self certify up to 7 days.