Workplace support for fathers is to be examined by the Women and Equalities Committee on Wednesday, following an inquiry into whether workplaces are providing adequate assistance to fathers so they can care for their children.
Twice the number of fathers compared to mothers believe that working flexibly will negatively impact on their career and will be viewed as less committed, with 44 per cent saying they had lied or bent the truth to their employer about family-related responsibilities.
Shared parental leave was introduced on 5 April 2001, to give parents more choice and flexibility in caring for their children after their birth. But research among 200 employers by the firm My Family Care found that more than four out of 10 had not seen a single male employee take up the right. With only 40% of individuals reporting that shared parental leave was encouraged by their employer.
If you’re a father, or carer, we’d like you to share your experiences of balancing work with childcare. You can fill in the form – anonymously, if you prefer – and we’ll use a selection in our reporting.
