Page 54 - ITM Employee Handbook September 2020

• If it is not practicable to allow you to return to work the Company will offer you
suitable alternative work on terms or conditions of employment, which are not
substantially less favourable to you.

3.16 PATERNITY LEAVE

The company offers Paternity Leave for a 2-week period of work to fathers following the birth or
adoption of a child, in the first 6 months after the birth or adoption of the child. The company will not
pay employees on Paternity Leave; however, employees may qualify for Paternity Benefit.

3.16.1 Rules about Paternity Leave
The following are deemed the Relevant Parents under the legislation:
• The father of the child
• The partner (spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant) of the mother of the child
• The parent of a donor-conceived child

For an adopted child, the relevant parent is:

• The nominated parent in the case of a married same-sex couple, or
• The partner of the adopting mother, or
• A man adopting alone

If more than one child is born or adopted at the same time (such as twins), you can take only one single
period of 2 weeks’ paternity leave.

Employees who apply for Paternity Leave may qualify for Paternity Benefit from the Department of
Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP).

3.16.2 Taking Paternity Leave
Paternity leave can be taken any time in the 26 weeks after the birth or adoption. The employee must
notify their manager in writing that you plan to take paternity leave and specify the dates at least 4
weeks before the start date of the paternity leave. The employees must provide a certificate from your
partner’s doctor stating when your baby is due or stating the baby’s actual date of birth if you apply
for leave after the birth.

In the case of adoption, the employee must provide a certificate of placement showing the date when
the child was placed with the employee.

3.16.3 Postponing Paternity Leave
Employees can postpone paternity leave if, for example, the birth is later than expected or if there is a
delay in the placement of an adopted child. If the employee is sick before their paternity leave starts,
paternity leave can be postponed until after you recover for illness. The employee must notify their
manager in writing and provide a medical certificate, for the period the paternity leave had been
granted.

If the employee’s baby / child is hospitalised, the employee must contact their manager in writing,
asking if it is possible to postpone all or part of your paternity leave, until the baby / child has recovered

3.16.4 Public holidays and Annual Leave
While on parental leave your annual leave entitlement is not affected, and employees are entitled to
leave for public holidays.

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