A new report, “The Millennial Dad at Work” reveals the seismic shift in how a new generation of working dads view their home and working life*. The research, in association with Deloitte, shows that more dads than ever before (58 per cent) are now actively involved in day to day parenting and are looking for workplace flexibility which is still not currently provided by the majority of UK employers.
Over 2000 working dads between the ages of 24-40 were interviewed for the report. Findings include: 63 per cent of new dads at work have requested a change in working pattern since becoming a father; 14 per cent of millennial dads have requested to work from home between 1-2 days per week, but less than one in five of those dads (19 per cent) are granted it; Nearly 40 per cent of dads have requested a change in working hours with 44 per cent of them being unsuccessful; Only 56 per cent believed that fathers were treated equally to mothers in their workplaces; 45per cent of working fathers regularly experienced tension from their employer when trying to balance work and family life demonstrating a growing disconnect between home and workplace; 39 per cent regularly experience tension from colleagues.
Han-Son Lee, Founder of Daddilife said,
Fathers are more involved in day to day parenting than ever before yet many employers cling on to old fashioned views of society where mum stays at home and takes on the childcare and dad works all hours to provide for the family. We know first-hand from listening to working dads in the Daddilife community, that there is a real gap in provision for new working fathers who need support to help them navigate the world of paternity leave, flexible working, and dealing with employers who refuse to listen.
What is clear from our research is that 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. We’ve built our new campaign hub to speed up that change by shining a light on those who are doing it well, and providing the advice that dads desperately need.
Emma Codd, Managing Partner for Talent at Deloitte, said,
We are delighted to be able to support this important research which has highlighted the change still needed in many businesses when it comes to ways of working and support provided to working parents. Agile working has long been a key priority and focus for Deloitte – enabling everyone to balance their commitments outside work with a successful career is critical to our ability to attract and retain the best people; these findings serve to show why this focus is so important.
Other striking results to emerge from the research show how existing practices affect mental health; 37 per cent admitting that their mental health is negatively affected as a result of trying to balance work and parental responsibilities. 45 per cent report a negative effect when it comes to being able to switch off, and 61per cent experiencing feelings of guilt with their partner and 51per cent guilt with their children at home.
Interested in diversity in the workplace and the future of work? We recommend Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals training day and Future of Work Summit 2019.
*Research by Daddilife
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
When will the penny drop that work is there because stuff needs to be done – not (primarily) to provide income/fulfilment/career/ego for the person doing the work.
Think of that next time you call for an ambulance and are told, “sorry, all our drivers are on Shared Parental Leave at the moment. Can you get yourself to hospital ?”
Great to see more Dads asking for flexible working. Lots still needs to be done though at corporate level before real change will happen. Many companies still have a culture of presenteeism, where lip service is paid to flexibility, but the realities are very different.