paternity leave

noun

1. a leave of absence from a job for a father to care for a new baby.

paternity leave

noun

1. a period of paid absence from work, in the UK currently two weeks, to which a man is legally entitled immediately after the birth of his child

2. a period of paid or unpaid absence from work granted to a man by his employer immediately after the birth of his child

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternity leave¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Parents who do not work might still be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare if their partner works, or they receive some benefits - for example if they are on maternity or paternity leave.

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Opener Phil Salt also returns after he missed the West Indies series at the beginning of the summer for paternity leave.

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As Goldin notes, Japan also has extensive coverage for fertility care and more than 30 weeks of paid paternity leave, but its birth rates remain among the lowest.

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From April, new whistleblowing protections, new day one paternity leave and unpaid parental leave rights will be enacted.

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Statutory paternity leave, which was introduced in 2003, allows most new fathers and second parents in the UK to take up to two weeks off work.

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