Notifying intention to claim OPL

• The employee must give notice of intention to take OPL (using HMRC Form SC3):

• Before the 15th week before the expected week of birth; or

• Within seven days of being matched with a child if adopting.

The entitlement is to one or two consecutive weeks’ leave which must be taken in blocks. There is no right to single days of leave. There is no right to extra paternity leave if you have twins or triplets. An employee taking OPL is entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay.