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Parental leave: Where do you stand?

This week the debate on parental leave has been raging following the publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) 'Working Better' report.

Calling for greater parity between the leave available to mothers and fathers, and increased pay for both parents, the Commission has raised an issue which no-one seems able to agree on.

Should parents be given equal entitlements? Should employer contributions be increased to allow more parents to take up leave opportunities? And would men actually take advantage of leave if it became more accessible?

Whilst all the people I spoke to were broadly supportive of an overhaul of our current parental leave entitlements, there was no clear consensus on what should be offered and to which party.

David Bartlett, acting chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, said there is definitely a need for change as men are keen to take advantage of leave entitlements but many simply can't afford to under the current system.

This video by a group of stay at home dads shows just why fathers want the opportunity to help out with caring, while many mothers too appear keen to share the load.

With the government still mulling over the EHRC's proposals, perhaps it is time for larger employers to take advantage of the momentum created by this debate and look creatively at what they can offer parents - using the company's flexibility as a great motivational tool to engage disillusioned men and women?

Kat |

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