In today’s society, there has been a ‘seismic shift’ among male millennials, yet, recent research has revealed that the majority of businesses are failing to understand that they need to be offering the flexibility these employees require to balance work demands with the desire to be a hands-on dad.
Millennial platform Daddilife reports that the short-sightedness is already impacting recruitment and retention, especially at a time when staff with the right skills are in huge demand.
Figures revealed more than half (58 per cent) of fathers are now actively involved in day-to-day parenting. However, when fathers have asked for a change in working hours to enable them to spend more time with their children, 44 per cent of respondents said they have had their request turned down.
Moreover, nearly half (45 per cent) say when trying to balance the demands of home and work they regularly experience tension from their employer and 39 per cent say the same about work colleagues.
Unfortunately, 37 per cent admit the stress of trying to balance these competing demands has impacted negatively on their mental health, while 45 per cent find it hard to switch off. Almost two thirds (61 per cent) feel guilty about the effect on their partner and 51 per cent about not spending time with their children.
Subsequently, one in three fathers have already changed jobs since becoming a parent, and another third are actively seeking jobs with more understanding and sympathetic employers.
Han-Son Lee, Founder of Daddilife said: “There is a real gap in provision for new working fathers who needed help in sorting out paternity leave, flexible working and dealing with employers who refused to listen.
“Society is changing fast and if organisations want to retain their best employees, Government and business need to drive meaningful change for a new generation of fathers.”
Mr Lee added that his organisation had built its new campaign hub to promote those businesses that are “doing it well and providing the advice that dads desperately need”.
