Fathers reluctant to take paternity leave

Fathers are taking a less active role in caring for their children because they are concerned that spending too much time away from their jobs will lead to a loss of income that will harm their family, a new report suggests.

Just one in 10 men said they would take a longer period off work than the two weeks of leave they are currently entitled to under paternity law, according to a survey by think tank Demos.

Only half of the 1,500 male employees questioned in the survey said they would use their full allocation of days off, often because statutory paternity pay covers less than a quarter of their salary.

Under the current system, fathers who earn an average wage stand to lose a large proportion of their annual wage if they take six months off work.

The study showed that this was acting as a deterrent to many fathers and therefore preventing them from becoming more involved in the upbringing of their children during the early years. 

This was also found to be adding an extra obstacle to mothers looking to make a swift return to the workforce after childbirth.

Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.