Paternity Policy
MNU gives fathers paid paternity leave and parental support, so that care for a new child is shared and mothers can continue and progress in their careers. MNU has offered one month of paid paternity leave since 2019. In 2026, it adopted a Paternity and Parent Support Policy that extends support to all parents.
Our provisions in 2025
- One month of paid paternity leave for eligible male staff after the birth of a child, under the Government policy MNU follows. It was introduced through HR memo HRD2-22-2019 (April 2019), alongside the extension of paid maternity leave to six months.
- Unpaid parental leave: under the Employment Act (Law No. 2/2008), either parent of a newborn can take up to one year of unpaid leave after maternity leave.
Strengthening our commitment in 2026
The Paternity and Parent Support Policy (MNU/UC/2026/13), approved by the University Council on 27 October 2026, sets out support for fathers and other parents. Its stated aim is to help share childcare and so support women’s continued study and employment.
For staff
- Paternity leave: 30 days of paid paternity leave after the birth of a child. Where a national or Government entitlement is more generous, it applies instead.
- Unpaid parental leave: up to one year after maternity leave, which either parent can take.
- Family responsibility leave: 10 paid days a year to care for ill immediate family members.
- Flexible working: reasonable workplace and flexible working arrangements around childbirth and early infant care, for fathers as well as mothers, where operationally feasible.
For students
- Support for student parents: students with significant new caring responsibilities can use academic advising, student support services, flexible learning and special consideration, with support to return after an approved absence.
Protection
- No retaliation: staff and students who use these entitlements or ask for support are protected from discrimination, retaliation and disadvantage.
Why it matters for gender equality
When fathers take leave, caring is shared more evenly and women are less likely to step back from paid work or study. Paternity leave works alongside MNU’s six months of paid maternity leave, its daily paid nursing breaks and its flexible working arrangements (see Maternity Policy).
In practice
In 2025, 5 staff took paternity leave.
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