In what appears to be a classic instance of entitlement in theory and practice in real life being two entirely different things, EHRC research suggests that half of fathers do not take up their right to two weeks' paid paternity leave. Apparently 2 out of 5 are afraid to ask for flexible working, for fear of harming their career prospects, despite many fathers stating that tthey would like to be involved in bringing up their children.
The EHRC would like to see fathers having:
- Two weeks’ paternity leave at the birth of their child at 90 per cent pay
- Four months of dedicated 'parental leave' with at least eight weeks of leave being at 90 per cent pay; and
- Another four months’ parental leave - that can be taken by either mother or father – eight weeks of which is taken at 90 per cent pay.
emplaw.co.uk