Paternity leave

What is paternity leave?

Paternity leave is a period of paid or unpaid time off granted to a father or non-birthing parent after the birth, adoption, or surrogacy of a child. It allows new parents to bond with their child, support the birthing parent, and adjust to family life during a critical transition period.

Depending on the country and company policy, paternity leave may be offered as a legal right, a discretionary benefit, or part of a broader parental leave policy.

How does paternity leave work?

The structure of paternity leave varies based on local laws and organizational policies:

• Length: Paternity leave can range from a few days to several weeks or months. Some countries mandate a minimum duration.
  
  
• Paid vs. unpaid: Some governments or employers offer fully or partially paid leave; others provide only unpaid time off.
  
  
• Eligibility: Leave may be limited to full-time employees, require a minimum length of service, or apply only in specific family situations (e.g., birth vs. adoption).
  
  
• Timing: Paternity leave can take effect immediately after the child’s arrival or within a specific window.
  
  

Why do companies offer paternity leave?

Providing paternity leave supports family wellbeing and promotes workplace equity. It helps companies:

• Encourage gender equality in caregiving responsibilities.
  
  
• Improve retention and job satisfaction among new parents.
  
  
• Support work-life balance and mental health.
  
  
• Comply with labor laws or enhance employer brand through competitive benefits.
  
  

Examples of paternity leave in practice

• A company offers two weeks of fully paid paternity leave to all new fathers after birth or adoption.
  
  
• A father uses five days of statutory paternity leave immediately after the birth, followed by two weeks of vacation time.
  
  
• A global employer aligns paternity leave policies with local laws across different countries while offering a minimum global baseline benefit.
  
  

Paternity leave vs. parental leave or maternity leave

Paternity, maternity, and parental leave serve different roles in supporting new parents. Here’s how each term differ: 

• Paternity leave: Time off specifically for the father or non-birthing parent.
  
  
• Maternity leave: Leave provided to the birthing parent, often longer and sometimes medically required.
  
  
• Parental leave: A broader term that may apply to either parent, often used in gender-neutral or inclusive policies.
  
  

Some companies offer shared parental leave, allowing parents to split or transfer leave entitlements.

Things to consider with paternity leave

Employers and employees should keep in mind:

• National and local laws that define minimum entitlements and job protections.
  
  
• Internal policies that expand beyond legal requirements.
  
  
• The cultural and social norms around parenthood and caregiving in different regions.
  
  
• Coordination with HR and payroll to track leave duration, pay, and benefits continuity.
  
  

How Remote can help

Managing paternity leave across global teams means navigating a patchwork of legal and cultural expectations. Remote helps you build compliant, inclusive leave policies tailored to each country‌ — ‌while streamlining payroll, documentation, and employee experience.

Remote makes it easier for you to support working parents, wherever they are. Discover how Remote can help simplify your global HR today.