Congratulations, your expecting..
From all of us at Grind we’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate you on your wonderful news. Now that we know, there’s a few bits we need to cover to make sure everything runs smoothly and you have the information you need over the coming weeks and months.
When should you notify us that you are having a child?
If you are expecting, we advise you to inform your manager and someone within the People team as early as possible, or when you feel comfortable enough to do so. We need to be made aware to ensure that we can provide you with as much support and guidance as possible. We understand that the first few months can be a tough time, so it is important that we perform a risk assessment and schedule in regular catch-ups to make sure that you are comfortable and are made aware of your entitlements.
The company will keep all information confidential and will only ever disclose information if requested by legal authorities.
Taking time Off
When taking time off to support your partner who is having a baby, you are entitled between 1 to 2 weeks paternity leave. To apply for paternity leave, we will need a written statement providing the following:
The due date of the child
a time-frame in which you would like to start leave (ie. first week that the baby is born)
Determine whether you would like 1 or 2 weeks off
It is important to note that leave cannot start prior to the child’s birth and must end within 56 days after birth. In addition, your leave must be taken in one go and can not be taken at separate times. ie. for salary staff - one week count as 5 working days in addition to your 2 rostered days off
When giving notice as to the leave start date, we don’t require a precise start date and are aware that the time may depend on your partner. However, please keep us as informed as possible so that we can make necessary arrangements and support you through this exciting time.
Paternity Leave and Pay
In order to be entitled to paternity pay, you must have worked at Grind for a minimum of 26 weeks on a continuous basis and earn £113.00 on average per week before tax. Statutory paternity pay is either £140.98 or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) and will be paid during the regular Grind pay periods for up to 2 weeks depending on how much time you choose to take off. If you wish to amend the leave start date of your paternity leave/pay, you must give a minimum of 28 days notice.
Please ensure a paternity pay request form is filled out and submitted by email to peopleteam@grind.co.uk
Contact During Paternity Leave
Shortly before your paternity leave starts, we will discuss any arrangements with you to keep in touch during your leave, should you wish to do so. Please be advised that the Company reserves the right in any event to maintain reasonable contact with you from time to time during your paternity leave. This may be to discuss your plans for return to work, to discuss any special arrangements to be made or training to be given to ease your return to work or simply to update you on developments at work during your absence.
In the meantime, if you have any other questions or want to chat any of this over, please get in touch any time. We wish you the very best over the next few months.
Best wishes,
Team GRIND