Day-one paternity and parental leave
Employees will be entitled to paternity and parental leave from day one of employment from 1 April 2026.
Under the reforms, employees will no longer need to meet minimum service requirements to qualify for paternity or unpaid parental leave.
Currently, parents need to have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible for paternity leave, or a year to access unpaid parental leave.
Bereaved partner’s paternity leave will also be introduced and will allow parents who lose their partner before their child’s first birthday to take up to 52 weeks’ leave.