Section 21 — Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987: Right of employee to determine date of commencement of partner's/paternity leave

21 Right of employee to determine date of commencement of partner's/paternity leave Partner's/paternity leave may, at the option of the employee, begin— (a) On any date in the period— (i) Beginning on the 21st day before the expected date of delivery; and (ii) Ending with the close of the 21st day after the actual date of delivery or, where the child is discharged from a hospital or a similar establishment more than 21 days after the actual date of delivery, the close of the day on which the child is discharged from that hospital or establishment; or (b) In the case of adoption, on any date in the period beginning on the 21st day before the date applicable under section 18(1)(b) of this Act and ending with the close of the 21st day after the date so applicable. The heading to section 21 was amended, as from 1 July 2002, by section 21 Parental Leave And Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 7) by substituting the words “ partner's/paternity leave ” for the words “ paternity leave ” . Section 21 was amended, as from 1 July 2002, by section 21 Parental Leave And Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 7) by substituting the words “ partner's/paternity leave ” for the words “ paternity leave ” . Section 21 was amended, as from 1 July 2002, by section 21 Parental Leave And Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 7), by omitting the word “ male ” .