Does my paternity leave or extra maternity leave count toward parental leave?

There is a separate legal right to paternity leave, which is the right to time off for partners of the mother around the time of the birth of a baby or a child’s placement for adoption. Since part of the purpose of this leave is to help and support the mother at this time, it does not count as ‘parental’ leave.

If your employer is trying to deduct your paternity, maternity or adoption leave from your parental leave entitlement, they are probably in breach of the law. You must get advice from your trade union or a specialist employment adviser.