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Your holiday entitlement when you are on paternity leave

You will still build up your entitlement to paid holiday during paternity leave. You cannot take annual leave during paternity leave but you may be able to extend your time off by taking a period of annual leave immediately before or after paternity leave.

• Holiday entitlements: the basics (employment section)

Your pension contributions when you are on paternity leave

If your employer contributes to an occupational pension scheme they must carry on making their usual contributions for the whole time you are on paid paternity leave.

If you normally make contributions to your pension you should carry on doing so, based on the amount of paternity pay that you are getting.

Can I return to the same job when I return?

At the end of your paternity leave, you have the right to return to the same job as before on the same terms and conditions of employment as if you had not been absent, unless a redundancy situation has arisen.

An employee on paternity leave should be treated in the same way as any other employee during a redundancy situation, including being consulted about the redundancy and being considered for other jobs.

• Being made redundant (employment section)

You are also entitled to benefit from any general improvements to the rate of pay or other terms and conditions introduced while you were away.

It is unlawful for your employer to dismiss you or treat you unfairly as a result of taking paternity leave or seeking to take paternity leave.

If you do not wish to return to work, you should give notice in accordance with your contract of employment. You do not have to pay back Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) even if you do not return to work.

• Statutory Paternity Pay (money, tax and benefits section)

Taking parental leave after paternity leave

If you need more time off to look after your child you may be able to take parental leave. You can take a certain amount of parental leave without it impacting on your right to return. If you take more than that amount you will be able to return to the same job unless this is not reasonably practicable, in which case you must be offered alternative work that is suitable to you and with terms and conditions as if you hadn’t been absent.

• More about parental leave

Flexible working

As the parent of a child under six (16 or under from 6 April 2009), or if the child is disabled under 18, you are entitled to request a flexible working pattern. This can help you balance caring for your child and work. Your employer must consider your request and respond to you in writing.

• Flexible working and work-life balance (employment section)

What to do if you have problems

If you experience problems while you are on paternity leave, talk to your boss or the person above them or go to the human resources or personnel department. If you have an employee representative (eg a trade union official), they may be able to help.

If this doesn't work, you may need to make a complaint using your employer's internal grievance procedure.

If you are still unhappy you have the right to make a complaint to an Employment Tribunal.

• How to resolve a problem at work (employment section)

Where to get help

For more information on where to get help with employment issues visit the employment contacts page or find out more about trade unions.

• Employment contacts
• Introduction to trade unions