Having your first child soon?
Becoming a first-time dad is one of the most life-changing yet challenging experiences you’ll ever face – and it starts with being present during and after childbirth.
Thus, one of the most important employee benefits in the Philippines new dads should know is their paternity leave.
Utilizing this helps you take better care of your wife and newborn child during and after childbirth.
How do you know if you’re eligible for one? Also, how does the application go?
In honor of Father’s Day, let’s dive into all the FAQs about paternity leave below.
What is It?
Paternity leave is time off granted to fathers from their jobs following their child’s birth.
According to Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8187 or the Paternity Leave Act of 1996:
“Paternity leave refers to the legally mandated leave credits extended to married male employees “for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly born child.”
The law grants up to seven (7) calendar days of leave benefits with full pay to married male employees. This allows fathers to care for their newborn children and wives after birth or help their partner after a miscarriage.
Can This Be Extended?
Yes, it can.
Under the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210), paternity leave can be extended by transferring up to seven (7) days of maternity leave credits from the mother to the father. This gives you a total of 14 days of leave.
That said, this option is only available if your wife works in the private sector.
Who Is Eligible for This Benefit?
All currently employed married males, whether they work full-time or part-time, are eligible for paternity leave. Additionally, you can only file for paternity leave four times.
Here are some other criteria that determine your eligibility for paternity leave:
- You must be legally married and cohabiting with your wife. The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) handbook defines cohabiting as the husband and wife living together.
- The child must be legitimate and not adopted.
- You should have notified your employer of your plan to avail paternity leave within a reasonable time. For this, refer to the company’s leave policy. If the child’s delivery happens sooner than expected, he should notify his employer as soon as possible.
- You must then submit a written notice or submit an application for leave to your employer. This must include the expected date of delivery and when you intend to start your leave.
- Employers may request further documentation like a copy of the child’s birth certificate or a medical certificate confirming the expected date of delivery.
Once all these are met, your employer must grant your request for paternity leave.
What’s the Application Process for Requesting a Paternity Leave?
Your employer processes your paternity leave, not the Social Security System (SSS).
Here’s how to apply:
- Check Your Company’s Policy Towards Paternity Leaves: Your company may have a different policy regarding it, so you must check your employee handbook or with HR regarding available benefits.
- Inform Your Boss: Notify your boss at least seven days before you plan to take your leave.
- Submit the Necessary Documentation: Have all the necessary documentation, like your marriage certificate and the projected delivery date of your child ready before filing your leave.
- File a Formal Leave Request: Once you have all the necessary documents, file your leave through the appropriate channels.
When Can You File For One?
You can take your paternity leave before, during, and after your wife has given birth.
However, The Paternity Leave Act only allows you to take your leave within sixty days after the child’s delivery date.
If you’re applying for a fourteen-day leave, have proper documentation ready for transferring your wife’s maternity leave credits to you.
Begin Your Journey to Fatherhood the Right Way
Having a child can be a lot to take in, especially if it’s your first time.
Fortunately, you can apply for paternity leave so you’ll have more time to spend with your wife and newborn child.
By knowing how you can maximize this benefit, you can better prepare yourself for this new chapter in your life.
Want to be a more hands-on parent -whether you’ve got leave or not? Why not try jobs with an online work from home setup?
At Remote Staff, our jobs list contains plenty of work from home jobs to choose from, ranging from online design jobs to online transcription jobs.
Ready to start your online career? Sign up here. Good luck, and advanced Happy Father’s Day!
