Fathers baffled by paternity leave rights
Thursday, 18 February 2010 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
The government has come to the rescue of confused 'modern Dads' who want to take care of their children by clarifying their employment rights.
Efforts from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills follow research showing that most fathers were uncertain about their options.
A fifth of fathers with children aged 16 or under did not know whether their company offered flexible working options, while one in three parents with children under five did not realise paid paternity leave is law.
Ministers have launched a publicity campaign to raise awareness among fathers of their rights at work to help them care for their child.
"We know that rights for dads at work are valued by people and that businesses also see real benefits in offering them. But our research shows that there are still some dads out there that are not aware of what they are entitled to and therefore risk missing out," employment rights minister Lord Young said.
"Our campaign is all about making sure dads know what they can do and to help them have more confidence as they weigh up what works best for them and their family. The key is to talk to their employer."
Fathers are entitled to request flexible working, a fortnight's paid paternity for new fathers and 13 weeks of unpaid leave until their child is five years old.
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