Fathers unwilling to adopt new paternity legislation
Tuesday, 23rd March 2010
Less than a fifth of fathers would take the entirety of six-month paternity leave proposed by new legislation, research suggests.
Plans to allow new mothers to transfer the second half of their year's maternity leave would be taken up by just 18% of men, a YouGov survey for mobile phone network Orange found, as new legislation allowing mothers to transfer the second half of their year-long maternity leave could come into effect next year.
Concerns over money were the main factor preventing fathers, as nearly half of those polled by Orange confessed to money worries. Some 27% said they would not be taking any paternity leave, while 15% consider themselves too vital to the business to be absent for six months.
However, 79% of those polled said a more attractive alternative to six months’ paternity leave would be the ability to work flexibly. But 30% said they lacked the necessary support from their senior managers and colleagues, as just 10% of participants’ employers currently practise flexible working.
“Businesses need to address this demand or they risk losing valuable members of staff and future revenues,” said Martin Lyne, director for small and medium business at Orange UK
“In today’s modern working environment, it is right that businesses enable male employees to take their full paternity leave. And it does not have to mean huge sacrifices by either party.”
Elizabeth Duff, Public Policy Officer for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), said that new legislation is a good idea, but fathers should be able to be paid throughout their paternity leave.
“Providing more attractive leave options for fathers enables them to take time off paid work at a crucial stage in family life,” she said.
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