Statutory two weeks of paternity or co-parent leave is 'outdated', parents say

Nearly three-quarters of parents (74%) feel the statutory two weeks of paternity or co-parent leave after having a baby – is “outdated” in today’s world, a study has shown.

The current policy for those who do not qualify for maternity, primary adopter, or other primary parental leave, is just a fortnight off work – and often on reduced pay.

However, 69% feel this is not long enough to bond with their newborn, and adapt to becoming a parent – with 61% wanting to take more time off.

Four in 10 (41%) claim this extra time with their child would have helped them to feel more relaxed, with 32% saying it could have helped them grow closer to their infant.

However, over half of those (54%), who would have liked additional time off work, felt they couldn’t afford to take it – and 23% believed it was not an option.

As such, the survey of 500 adults, who have had a baby in the last five years, or plan to do so, found that 48% feel parental leave policies have played a major part in their decision about whether to start a family.

It emerged that those who have had a baby typically took almost three weeks off in paid leave – but 10% only had a maximum of a week at home with their little one.

And three-quarters feel the statutory two weeks of paternity or co-parent leave is ‘outdated’

The study was commissioned by Kellanova, the parent company of Kellogg’s and Pringles, to announce a new co-parent policy for its employees – offering up to 10 weeks of paid leave within a year of the baby’s birth.

This applies to fathers or same-sex female relationships, where only one parent is currently entitled to take maternity leave.

Elly Campbell Godkin, senior HR manager at Kellanova, which will also offer paid time off for employees who have pregnant partners to attend antenatal classes and appointments, said: “When I had my first child last year, I knew that I didn’t want to take a full year out from work.

“I’d recently been appointed into a new role that I really wanted to get started in, so my husband and I fully shared our leave. We both wanted quality time off with our daughter, and taking five months off each allowed us to learn how to be the best parents we could be – as individuals and together.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed one in three parents (32%) believe they would get just the statutory paternity or co-parent leave of up to two weeks paid if they had a child.

Others worried about the stigma – particularly for men – around taking time off (15%), or what their colleagues would think (13%), while 12% felt it was frowned upon in their workplace.

But a quarter claim that taking time off meant they would have missed out on fewer milestones, such as their child’s first smile.

Simon Kelleher, head of policy and influencing at Working Families, said: “We welcome Kellanova’s decision to offer an enhanced parental leave package, particularly given that all of its employees will be offered it as a day one right.

“Our research indicates that individuals may hesitate to take parental leave, due to the negative implications on their finances.

“We encourage other employers to follow suit in implementing enhanced parental leave policies. This not only supports employees during the crucial first year of their child’s life, but also underscores the need for action from government.

“As our Working Families Index polling reveals that only 29% of lower income working parents have access to enhanced leave, policymakers need to review statutory pay levels, and introduce extended leave for fathers or secondary caregivers.”