Fathers are unwilling to take their entitlement to two weeks paid paternity leave because the rate of statutory paternity pay is too low; reveals latest research.
The research conducted by professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and law firm Hammonds shows that despite British workers adopting more flexible working practices rates of pay currently set at £102.80 for fathers per week is too low for the majority to take up this right.
In good news for work/life balance supporters it is revealed that almost a quarter (23%) have requested some form of flexible working and of this pool the vast majority (87%) have had their requests granted by their employers.
Less than half of fathers (46%) however, would be wiling to take paternity leave at the current rate of pay if they had another child but if the rate rose to 90% of full pay the proportion of fathers willing to take the leave rises to four out of five (80%) and at full pay the figure is nearly nine out of ten (87%).
One father (a team leader) said: “You have prams and stuff to buy, even the hospital parking fees are expensive – I couldn’t afford to take that level of pay cut for two weeks.”
While another new dad employed as a lorry driver commented: “I’ve still got bills coming in – anything less than full pay would be no good.”
Just under half (41%) also believe the length of the paternity leave period which currently stands at two week is ‘not enough.’
Duncan Brown, Assistant Director General at the CIPD commented:
“We would have expected the rate of paternity pay to be one of the factors in the decision to take paternity leave. But with less than half of fathers willing to consider taking leave at the current £102.80 a week, and four out of five wanting to take up the opportunity at 90% of full pay, the implications for any further family friendly legislation are clear.
“Flexible employment policies are becoming embedded in the UK world of work. But fathers tell us they can’t afford to spend time with their newborn children at current rates of paternity pay.”
Over 1000 workers in the UK were interviewed as part of the research including nearly 200 fathers of children under the age of 16.
- Four out of five UK workers (80%) say their employer offers some form of flexible working. Part time working (available to 53% of workers) and variable working hours – arriving late or leaving early – (51%) are the most common.
- Almost half of all employees (47%) say their employers encourage flexible working – only a quarter say their employers discourage it.
- Women and workers under the age of 30 are more likely to ask for flexible forms of working – but, when requests are made, employers are equally likely to grant them for men or women.
