Can my employer dismiss me if they think I'm going to take paternity leave or if I've asked to take paternity leave?

It is against the law for your employer to dismiss you, or penalise you in any way, for asking to take ordinary paternity leave (up to 2 weeks, normally taken around the birth), or additional Paternity leave (transferred from the mother at the end of her maternity leave). This is the case regardless of how long you have worked for your employer.