Will new rights for fathers have an adverse impact on small businesses?
Posted by Vivien Rodger on Monday 1 February 2010
New rights for fathers were announced last week by the government, allowing fathers to take up to six month’s paternity leave.
Currently fathers can take only two weeks paid leave, but under the new plans, to become effective in April 2011, fathers will be able to take up to six months off in the second half of the baby’s first year, if the mother returns to work.
Reports say that take-up is expected to be low, with less than 1 in 16 fathers opting to take time off work for full time care of their child.
The government has tried to re-assure small businesses that less than 1% of them could find themselves affected by the change, however there is wide concern that small businesses will not be able to support increased paternity leave, especially if it includes a significant element of paid leave.
Do you agree or do you think this reform is long overdue? Gender inequality still exists in the area of employment and pay and it is unlikely to be rectified while women have to take the majority of responsibility for early years childcare. The gap between men and women’s pay has narrowed. On average women earn 64% of male earnings; twelve years ago this was 53%.
Do you see it as a problem for your business? What are the effects likely to be? Or are you fully supportive of these changes? Perhaps they will give your business greater flexibility. Could this measure help to retain skilled employees or do you think you will lose business?
Please let us know your thoughts and comments on this. We look forward to reading your views.