-
InsightsInsight - Family and Divorce - POSTED: April 5 2016
No sharing of shared parental leave
Research indicates only 1% of fathers are using shared parental leave
- Share this article
- Print this article
-
Recent research by My Family Care has revealed some stark but not unpredicted statistics regarding the take-up of shared parental leave by fathers.
The headline is that only 1% of fathers have taken up this right in the first year of its operation. This is even lower than our own predictions that the take-up of this right would be limited.
The survey indicates a number of interesting statistics as to why this is the case:
- 55% of women said they would not wish to share their maternity leave;
- 80% of those surveys indicated that finances were key to this decision.
There may also still be a cultural reticence to be seen to be taking such leave which is still to be overcome. By comparison, it is reported that 9 out of 10 fathers in Sweden and Norway take this type of leave. However, it is notable that they are paid between 80 and 100% of their earnings.
We will have to wait-and-see if over time the practice of fathers sharing maternity leave becomes the norm rather than at present very much the exception.
This content is correct at time of publication
Can we help?
Take a look at our Family and Divorce page for useful information, resources, guidance, details of our team and how we may be able to help you
-
Get in touch
Please fill out the below form or alternatively you can call us on 01622 690691