The start of a 14-working-day paternity leave for federal civil servants has been authorised by the federal government.
Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), stated this on Monday in a circular with the reference number HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/RR/650309/3, dated November 25, 2022.
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According to the circular titled “Computation of Leave Based on Working Days and Approval of Paternity Leave in the Public Service,” this is in accordance with the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, which state that all leave must be calculated using working days.
The government has also approved paternity leave for male officers who are serving and whose spouse has just given birth.
The leave will last for fourteen working days. The maximum number of children on the leave is four, and it cannot be taken more than once every two years.
In cases where a male officer’s family adopts a baby under four months old, Yemi-Esan said, “the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of fourteen working days.”
Requests for such leave, according to her, must be accompanied by the officer’s wife’s Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) report or proof that the child’s adoption has been approved by the appropriate government agencies.
She added that the circular will go into effect on November 25, 2022.
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In order to allow men in the federal civil service to properly bond with their newborn or adopted child, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a 14-day paternity leave in September of this year.
In order to help the newborn or adopted child properly bond with the father in the early stages, she said that bonding was crucial.
“Paternity leave has also been approved for inclusion. This is a brand-new concept. And this is something that the service unions requested that we include; fortunately, we were able to do so.
We were able to make sure that leave is now computed based on working days rather than calendar days, and that change has also been approved.
We have also discussed the switch from paper to digital services. So, she continued, “These are some of the novelties in the new PSR that the Federal Executive Council has just approved.
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