About to sign at a new job - how do I (should I) ask them to waive the paternity service threshold?
Throwaway. Got a verbal offer last week for a senior tech role - better pay, closer to home, they’re building out a new team. Formal offer letter’s landed, contract expected this week. Role needs background clearance and they’re still working out whether I can start before it lands or have to wait, so I haven’t handed notice in at my current place yet.
Here’s the awkward bit: we’re expecting a baby in the next 3-6 months, and employer paternity policies typically require 6-12 months of service for paid leave to kick in (and I assume this employer will be the same) - so on any plausible start date I almost certainly won’t qualify in time. I want to ask whether they’d waive that and treat me as eligible from day one.
I’m leaving my current job because it’s become properly toxic and I really don’t want to torpedo this. At the same time, it’s a senior role they seem keen on, and I’d rather raise it honestly now than spring it any later in the process. Recruiter has been okay so far - quite pushy, but seems generally keen to get what’s best for both parties - so my instinct is to mention it to him first as a sounding board before it goes to the employer - but that could be wrong!
Questions for anyone who’s been here or seen it from the HR side:
- Recruiter first, or straight to the employer?
- Before the contract lands (preempt), or after(react)?
- How likely is the ask to actually land? Assuming “no” is the default - has anyone seen a yes?
Context that is possibly relevant:
- Received offer the same day as the interview (hours later). I assume this is a good sign that “they want me” rather than “they’re settling for me”.
- Pay is between £75k-£100k, so it’s not “any-old-job” for me or for them.