Working fathers want time off for kids

Recent research conducted by My Family Care shows that working men face huge challenges when it comes to starting a family, despite changes in the national laws on paternity leave.

The study reveals:
• Two thirds (60%) of fathers who have children under school age say they don’t have a working pattern that suits them
• A quarter (28%) of all fathers say they are unhappy with their work-life balance
• Almost half (40%) said that just one day a week working from home would make a huge difference to their lives
• Half of fathers want to work more flexibly but are concerned about the impact on their careers and perception of the company and colleagues.

Ben Black, Director of My Family Care, says: “It’s important to remember that gender diversity is not just about women; with more and more mothers returning to work, couples share childcare responsibilities, so fathers want more flexibility and understanding from their employer. Communication is of paramount importance through all of the changes that new parents face; communication between couples, between employer and employee and between HR and senior management.”

The results of the research will be discussed at the Work+Family Think Tank, held in conjunction with My Family Care and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, on 29 September. Companies interested in attending can register for free tickets HERE.