Paternity-leave policy

1. A copy of your current paternity-leave policy, including any variations depending on employee status (e.g. full-time, part-time, length of service). Please clearly state the standard entitlement (number of weeks) and the rate of pay (full pay, statutory pay, enhanced pay, etc.) across that entitlement.

2. For the most recent three financial years (or calendar years) for which data is held: a) the number of employees who took paternity leave, and b) the average number of weeks taken per employee, and c) if available, a breakdown of take-up by type of pay (e.g. full pay vs statutory pay).

3. The median (or mean) gross pay of all council employees

1. See link to policy Family leave policy - including maternity and paternity – Paternity leave and maternity or adoption support leave - Lincolnshire County Council

Pay entitlement

Statutory Paternity Pay is:

• a rate set by the Government for the relevant tax year, or
• 90 per cent of the employee's average weekly earnings, if this figure is lower than the Government's fixed weekly rate

Employees may be entitled to receive Statutory Paternity Pay if they:

• have been continuously employed by us for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the child is due. In the case of adoption, it is at least 26 weeks by the relevant or matching week
• have average weekly earnings of over the lower limit for National Insurance contributions
• are still employed at the time of taking paternity leave

SPP is treated earnings and subject to PAYE and National Insurance deductions.

Statutory Paternity Pay can start from any day of the week from the date the employee begins their paternity leave.

Maternity or adoption support leave

Under NJC conditions, we will grant five days maternity support leave or adoption support leave to the partner or nominated carer of the primary adopter at or around the time of placement. A nominated carer is the person nominated by the primary adopter to assist in the care of the child and to provide support to the primary adopter at or around the time of the placement.

The entitlement to maternity or adoption support leave is five days or one week in any 12-month period. All arrangements for maternity or adoption support leave will need to be agreed between the employee and their line manager, via completion of the paternity leave and maternity adoption support leave application form The form will need to be countersigned by the pregnant woman or adoptive parent nominating the employee requesting leave as the prime provider of care. Managers may request evidence of the birth or adoption, for example, a copy of the MATB1 (maternity certificate).

Employees taking maternity or adoption support leave who also qualify for paternity leave, will be entitled to:

• one week’s maternity or adoption support leave at full pay, and
• one week’s ordinary paternity leave at SPP rates

Maternity or adoption support leave is separate from parental leave.  It is pro rata for part timers.

2. 

3. £32,597 (median)