(1) Where a relevant parent who has complied with subsection (2) or (5) of section 7, section 13(2) or 14(2), as the case may be, becomes sick prior to the commencement of his or her paternity leave and wishes to postpone the paternity leave, he or she may, by notice in writing given to his or her employer as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming sick and accompanied by the relevant evidence in respect of the sickness, postpone the taking of the leave to such time as the relevant parent is no longer sick and the entitlement to such leave (in this section referred to as "postponed leave") is subject to the relevant parent concerned having, subject to subsection (5), notified his or her employer in writing (or caused his or her employer to be so notified) as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than the day on which the postponed leave begins of his or her intention to commence such leave.

(2) Where a relevant parent is absent from work due to the postponement of paternity leave under this section, such absence shall be treated in the same manner as any absence from work of the relevant parent due to sickness.