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

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Phillipson said the deadlock over unfair dismissal could have "jeopardised" the bill, which also contains new worker benefits, such as immediate rights to sick pay and paternity leave.

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It added day one protection against discrimination remained and other new day-one rights to sick pay and paternity leave will still go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026.

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Among the issues raised by MPs included a push for prostate cancer screening, a focus on under-achievement by working-class boys in school, and a campaign to get better paternity leave for men.

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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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