New paternity leave rules affecting men come into force

New paternity leave rules have come into effect legally entitling parents to share time off work during their baby's first year.

The new rules give a man the right to additional paternity leave and pay. The rules also cover adoption.

Additional paternity leave allow an employee to take up to 26 weeks' leave to care for the child, on top of two weeks of ordinary paternity leave. 

This can only be taken 20 or more weeks after the child's birth or placement for adoption, and once the mother has returned to work from statutory maternity or adoption leave or ended her entitlement. 

 To qualify, the father must have been on a continuous contract with his employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.