
Paternity toolkit
- Covers a range of paternity leave situations
- Contains all the relevant documents you need
- Step-by-step guidance to help you comply with the law
Please note that this toolkit has recently been updated. It can be used for employees whose child is due after 6 April 2024, or whose expected date of adoption placement is on or after 6 April 2024. If your employee's child is due to be born or placed with them before this date, this toolkit will not apply.
This paternity toolkit will take you through the key steps to take when a staff member wishes to take paternity leave. It contains a how-to guide along with a pack of all the relevant template documents you are likely to need.
This paternity toolkit can be used in a wide variety of situations, whether a staff member's partner is having a baby, they are adopting or they are having a baby via surrogacy.
By using this toolkit, you ensure that you comply with your legal obligations, which reduces the risk of your staff member taking legal action against you and helps to maintain good workplace relations.
Q&A
When should I use this toolkit?
This paternity toolkit is always useful to have as part of your HR documentation.
Staff can use the forms provided to notify you of their eligibility for paternity leave and their return dates, and you can use the template letters provided to make appropriate paternity leave arrangements.
What does this toolkit cover?
This paternity toolkit includes a how-to guide which sets out the key steps you must take when a staff member wishes to take paternity leave. It also includes a pack of all the relevant documents you are likely to need.
The template letters and notices provided in this toolkit can be used in a variety of situations, whether a staff member's partner is having a baby, they are adopting or they are having a baby via surrogacy.
You and your staff member can use the templates to confirm eligibility for paternity leave, decide start and end dates and arrange any other time off needed for appointments.
Why do I need this toolkit?
This paternity toolkit helps you to take all the right steps when a staff member wishes to take paternity leave.
By using this toolkit, you'll ensure that you and your staff member comply with the law and take necessary steps within the right time frames. This helps your staff member support their family, reduces the risk of future disputes and helps you to maintain good workplace relations.
Where can I find out more?
For full guidance on the paternity leave process, see Paternity and shared parental leave.
Documents in Toolkit
Adoption - Employee notice of date of arrival
Declaration of eligibility for time off to attend antenatal appointments
Employee declaration of eligibility for time off to attend antenatal appointments with surrogate
Employee declaration of eligibility for time off to attend pre-adoption appointments
Employee notice of date of childbirth
How-to guide: Paternity toolkit
Notice of updated return date from paternity leave
Paternity arrangements letter
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Redundancy - Outcome of individual consultation meeting
Redundancy - Invitation to final individual consultation meeting
Redundancy - Final individual consultation meeting agenda
Redundancy - Notice of termination of employment
Redundancy - Offer of alternative employment
Disciplinary toolkit
- How-to guide: Disciplinary toolkit
Suspension letter pending investigation
Disciplinary investigation template
Invitation to attend a disciplinary hearing
Invitation to attend meeting to discuss sickness absence
List of common disabilities
Note taking template for disciplinary proceedings
Basic script for conducting a disciplinary hearing
First written warning for capability
First written warning for misconduct
Final written warning for capability
Final written warning for misconduct
Sickness absence meeting - outcome letter
Dismissal letter
Invitation to attend a disciplinary appeal hearing
Basic script for conducting a disciplinary appeal hearing
Letter to confirm outcome of a disciplinary appeal
Pregnancy and maternity toolkit
Maternity arrangements letter
Maternity - Amended return date letter
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Maternity - KIT Day Letter
Employee notice of return from maternity leave
Letter to employee confirming dates of return from maternity leave
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- How-to guide: Pregnancy and maternity toolkit
Pregnancy and maternity risk assessment
Maternity - Employee notice of pregnancy and intention to take maternity leave
Pregnancy - suspension on health and safety grounds letter
Grievance toolkit
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Invitation to an initial grievance meeting
List of common disabilities
Invitation to a grievance meeting following investigation
Grievance outcome letter
Invitation to grievance appeal hearing
Grievance appeal outcome letter