Calls for paternity pay boost
The Government will only achieve its aim of encouraging more fathers to take paternity leave if the pay available rises, according to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
It claims that UK workers are increasingly adopting more flexible working practises, but that the Government needs to “bite on the bullet” and offer more financial support rather than just more time off.
Figures published in April this year suggest that only around one in five new fathers are taking the opportunity of paternity leave, introduced in 2003.
Currently, fathers are entitled to two weeks paternity leave, paid at the rate of £102.80, but the survey found that only 46 per cent of fathers questioned would take paternity leave at the current rate of pay, but 80 per cent said they would take the leave if it was paid at 90 per cent of full pay and even more if it was at full pay.
In terms of the time allowed off, 53 per cent thought two weeks is “about right”, with six per cent considering it too much, but a significant minority of 41 per cent (mainly younger workers) believed it is “not enough”.
The research was conducted by MORI and covered over 1000 workers.
In terms of flexible working, 80 per cent of workers said that their employers offered some sort of flexible working, with around 47 per cent saying it is encouraged by their bosses, and 25 per cent saying it is discouraged.
Assistant director general of the CIPD, Duncan Brown, said: “Flexible employment policies are becoming embedded in the UK world of work. But fathers tell us they can’t afford to spend time with their newborn children at current rates of paternity pay.”
Sue Nickson, partner and head of employment law at Hammonds, said: “This survey shows there is no overwhelming desire for more time off for paternity leave. But employers cannot be blamed for low levels of take-up of paternity leave, since clearly from these findings the statutory pay level is a major disincentive to take up.”
