Paternity Leave in the Philippines: Things you need to prepare as Father and as Professional

The experience of parenthood is a significant and transformative journey, not only for the mother but also for the father. In the Philippines, the value of a father’s presence during the early stages of a child’s life is acknowledged, and as such, regulations have been put in place for paternity leave.

In this article, We try to explore the intricacies of paternity leave in, basically for the Philippines, encompassing the regulations that apply to both Filipino and non-Filipino citizens. Please read it throughout based on your needs, and prepare the check list We provide sincerely.

About Paternity Leave in Philippine

Paternity leave is a form of leave that affords fathers the option to take time off from their work responsibilities to attend to their newborn child. As we quote from Laborlaw.ph, about the paternity leave :

Paternity leave benefits are given to married male employees whose legal wife underwent delivery or miscarriage. The benefit applies to all male employee regardless of employment status. The benefit consist of seven (7) days of leave credits with full pay.

This leave is intended to provide fathers or partners with the opportunity to foster a bond with their newborn and offer support to their family during this crucial phase. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Philippine, states that The leave benefit is applies to the first four deliveries of the male employee’s legal wife, with whom he is cohabiting. This term refer to the obligation of the husband and wife to live together.

But if for some circumstances both decided to living separately, it still applied with several situations and reason. For example where in either one of them live elsewhere due to work, medical reasons (hospitalized, or in special case like Covid19 treatment, etc).

You also can get more than 7 days, In the event that you opt to utilize the option of transferring leave credits from your spouse, you will qualify for a combined 14-day duration of paternity leave. This entitlement is established by the Paternity Leave Law, which necessitates seven days of paid leave, and the Expanded Maternity Leave, which grants an additional seven days of optional leave.

Read also
“Leave Benefits Employees in the Philippines” Click Here

Paternity Leave Requirement

Based on Handbook on Workers Statutory Monetary Benefits (2022 edition), You can avail of paternity leave benefits when you meet these minimum requirement :

• If you are employed, you are entitled to maternity leave regardless of your employment status, whether you are a regular, probationary, casual, seasonal, or fixed-term employee.
• You must be legally married to and living with your pregnant wife, or a wife who has given birth or had a miscarriage.
• This benefit can only be claimed up to four times.
• You are required to inform your employer of your wife’s pregnancy and the expected delivery date within a reasonable period, although this notification is not necessary in cases of miscarriage since it count as emergency situations.

What makes you not eligible for Paternity Leave?

In Kalibrr, we understand that applying for this leave is crucial for you. There are several factors that make this Paternity leave ineligible to take, and some of them are as follows:

• Last-minute application: Although in some cases, leave can still be granted, especially in urgent situations, there is a maximum duration for which a leave request must be submitted to HR for administrative purposes.
• Marital status: The employee must be legally married to the child’s mother. The law does not extend paternity leave benefits to fathers of children born out of wedlock.
• No pending administrative or criminal cases: The employee should not have any pending administrative or criminal cases that would disqualify them from applying the paternity leaves. Be sure to complete all administrative, and stay out from trouble during this period.

Step-by-Step to Applying for Paternity Leave

Paternity leave benefits are not processed through the Social Security System (SSS) but rather through the employer. Upon discovering that your spouse is pregnant, the following are the typical steps to apply for paternity leave benefits:

Step 1: Inform your boss or HR Team

Notify your employer of your plan to take paternity leave as soon as you learn of your partner’s pregnancy. If your company using several tools for monitoring your attendance or absence, use it. Some of the system already included the paternity leave on their system that can be selected or applied.

Step 2: Provide all required documentation

Submit the necessary document and paperwork to your workplace, such as a medical certificate verifying the pregnancy and the projected delivery date from the doctor.

Step 3: Adhere to corporate policies

Familiarize yourself with your company’s specific paternity leave rules, including any forms or procedures.

Step 4: Plan your dates by mentioning in calendar

Discuss and organize your paternity leave dates with your company, making sure they coincide with your partner’s projected delivery date.

Different employers may have varying procedures for filing for paternity leave. It is advisable to inquire with the HR department regarding the specific measures to be taken.

For your convenience, you can obtain a copy of your marriage certificate and your child’s birth or death certificate through the NSO online service. You do not have to visit an NSO or PSA office in person, and you will receive your requested documents within two to 13 business days at your home or office.