Dads opt to stay at work
Mar 19 2010
The majority of male workers will not use changes in paternity laws to take the new maximum amount of leave.
Only 18 per cent of working men will take all of the proposed six months’ paternity leave, according to a survey from Orange.
Money concerns were found to be the main factor preventing fathers from taking the full leave (47 per cent), with a quarter (27 per cent) claiming that they wouldn’t take any time off when it comes into effect from April 2011.
Some 15 per cent claim their positions at work are too important to the business to be absent for six months, while 3 per cent believe their senior management are actively against it.
Martin Lyne, director for small and medium business at Orange UK, says: ‘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.’
The legislation will enable a new mother to transfer the last three months’ of her paid maternity leave to the father, who after this period can then take an additional three months’ unpaid leave.
Of the 717 men surveyed, 79 per cent say they would use a flexible working arrangement if their employer encouraged it.