Statutory paternity pay will be payable if an employee or worker has been: working continuously for one company for at least 26 weeks ending with the 15th week before the required week of childbirth. Paternity Pay Leave is the time you can take off to help your partner. If you're an employee, you're entitled to either one or two weeks of paid paternity leave. Most agency and contract workers aren't eligible: Your paternity leave is in addition to your normal holiday allowance.