Paternity leave policy and paternity leave data for the last 3 years
Case reference FOI2025/02360
Received 1 December 2025
Published 23 December 2025
Request
I am writing to request information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
If the data is only available in aggregated or anonymised form, I am happy to receive it in the most detailed format permissible under FOI / data-protection rules. If you are only able to comply with a part of this request within spending limits please prioritise 1, 2a and 2b.
Please supply the following:
1. A copy of your current paternity-leave policy, including any variations depending on employee status (e.g. full-time, part-time, length of service).
Please clearly state the standard entitlement (number of weeks) and the rate of pay (full pay, statutory pay, enhanced pay, etc.) across that entitlement.
2. For the most recent three financial years (or calendar years) for which data is held:
a) the number of employees who took paternity leave, and
b) the average number of weeks taken per employee, and
c) if available, a breakdown of take-up by type of pay (e.g. full pay vs statutory pay).
3. The median (or mean) gross pay of all council employees.
Response
I am writing to request information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
If the data is only available in aggregated or anonymised form, I am happy to receive it in the most detailed format permissible under FOI / data-protection rules. If you are only able to comply with a part of this request within spending limits please prioritise 1, 2a and 2b.
Please supply the following:
1. A copy of your current paternity-leave policy, including any variations depending on employee status (e.g. full-time, part-time, length of service).
Answer: Please see the attached “Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave” policy document.
Please clearly state the standard entitlement (number of weeks) and the rate of pay (full pay, statutory pay, enhanced pay, etc.) across that entitlement.
Answer: The Service Area have advised we offer 2 weeks full pay, subject to eligibility.
2. For the most recent three financial years (or calendar years) for which data is held:
a) the number of employees who took paternity leave, and
Answer: 14.
b) the average number of weeks taken per employee, and
Answer: 1 week and 3 days.
c) if available, a breakdown of take-up by type of pay (e.g. full pay vs statutory pay).
Answer: N/A – The Service Area have advised we offer full pay.
3. The median (or mean) gross pay of all council employees.
Answer: The Service Area have advised the median salary is: £33,103.12
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.