Acacia - Working together to make a difference

Fathers, want paternity leave

Working Families has launched a “take up, top up” campaign to increase awareness of fathers’ rights, and to encourage more employers to top up statutory paternity pay to full pay for new fathers.

Many fathers want to take paternity leave, but can’t because they are not eligible or because they can’t afford to.

Working Families survey with netmums and Dad.info found:

• 4 out of 10 fathers don’t take paternity leave
• 72 per cent of those who did not take leave gave the reason that they could not afford to take it
• 14 per cent of those who did not take leave gave the reason that they didn’t have enough length of service with their employer
• 13 per cent could not take paternity leave because they were self employed and not entitled to paid leave.

Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. Operating in the real world of pragmatic advice and practical solutions.

Holding down a job is hard. Bringing up children or taking care of elderly parents is tough. Doing both - and getting the balance right - is doubly difficult.

They've been helping people get a balance for 30 years, and their website contains our experience and expertise for you to draw on. Or Call 0800 013 0313.