British fathers can share parental leave, but most 'opting not' to

LONDON -- For the past year British fathers have had the option to share parental leave with their partners, but new research suggests just 1% have done so. 

A survey of over 200 companies and 1,000 parents and parents-to-be by My Family Care and the Women’s Business Council found take up since the leave was introduced a year ago has been very low. 

Up to 50 weeks of leave can be shared and 37 of those weeks are paid, under the plan, which is available to people who meet certain requirements.

Companies surveyed, said the low take up could be attributed to "financial affordability," as well as a lack of awareness of the plan.

“In all cases I’ve seen since SPL was introduced, the mother has wanted to take all of the leave, whether we employ the mother or the father,” one employer said, according to the survey, while another commented: “One male employee considering taking Shared Parental Leave was put off as he was worried that there would be a lack of cover as he was a senior manager.”

Over half the parents and parents-to-be surveyed said they didn't want to share their maternity leave, while 50% of men said shared parental leave is perceived negatively at work. 

“It’s not the norm in our industries for dads to step up as primary caregivers for their children and has strong stigma and negative perception of career ambition," one woman surveyed said.

"SPL is not financially supported in the same way as my partner’s. This makes it unattractive," a male respondent said.

The TUC, Trade Union Congress, said as many as two in five new fathers were ineligible for shared parental leave. 

“If the government is serious about men playing a more active role after their child is born, they must increase statutory pay and give all new dads a right to some independent parental leave that is not shared with their partners,” they said. 

To be eligible for shared parental leave, one parent must have been employed continuously by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date (or by the date you’re matched with your adopted child). Employees taking shared parental leave also have to stay with the same employer while taking the leave. 

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said in an emailed statement to Mashable that shared parental leave is provided to help mothers who want to return to work early share the responsibility with their partners. 

“When the policy was introduced, the Government estimated that around 285,000 couples would be eligible for SPL and that the take up would be between 2% and 8%. Take up is likely to be higher in organisations that offer pay above the statutory minimum," they said. 

"We will evaluate the policy by 2018 and this will enable us to estimate the actual take up of Shared Parental Leave."

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.