A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
mckinsey.com
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A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
After fathers return from leave, many would love to stay just as involved in their children’s lives. Introducing more flexible work arrangements would allow employees, including men, to fulfill more of their family duties (for instance, arranging meetings around taking their children to school or providing time to attend doctor’s appointments).
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Wahi Diome-Deer • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Returning dads need support and flexibility to remain involved in their child’s life
The benefits of paternity leave begin in the home. Ninety percent of the men we interviewed noticed an improvement in their relationship with their partner. And their partners also felt that the support was critical to forging a stronger bond. “I think I would have resented him if he had been at work and I would have had to do all of this alone,” o... See more
Karl Moore • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Paternity leave leads to better outcomes for the parents relationships
The cultural context around paternity leave is changing, as more countries and companies are offering the benefit to new fathers. Worldwide, 90 out of 187 countries offer statutory paid paternity leave,2 with almost four in ten organizations (38 percent) providing paid leave above the statutory minimum.3 In OECD countries, men’s use of parental lea... See more
Karl Moore • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
More countries and orgs offer paid paternity leave - yet dads are not taking all of it
With a renewed sense of priorities, some fathers started to make positive changes in their work lives. One said that it led to “changing my network to work more closely with other parents who have similar focus, identifying sponsors who can help plan a path back that balances both family and career.” Some suggested that taking paternity leave may h... See more
Karl Moore • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Paternity leave allows dads to step back and get perspective on their careers and current jobs (in a positive way)
While fathers do not go through the same physical strains as birth mothers (recognizing that some mothers have their children through adoption, surrogacy, etcetera), spending time at home to bond with their child and their partner is critical. Providing a longer paid-leave period, offering more flexibility in the timing of the leave period, or incr... See more
Wahi Diome-Deer • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Redress the imbalance between maternity and paternity leave
Men who spend time with their children report a boost in happiness and fulfillment that may also extend to the workplace. In one 2018 study, 60 percent of men described childcare hours as “very meaningful,” almost double the percentage of men who described paid work that way.13 At the same time, many new fathers also discover a newfound appreciatio... See more
Wahi Diome-Deer • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Many of the fathers we interviewed said that they felt more motivated after taking leave and that they were considering staying in their organization longer. They also said that the leave led them to change the way they work, becoming more productive and prioritizing their time better. “Having kids made me very aware of how valuable my time is and ... See more
Karl Moore • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Parents know how to manage their time better!
Paternity leave can level the playing field for working mothers. Many fathers emerged from the experience feeling like “being at home, with a strong presence of mind, allowed me to reduce stress on my wife and for her to return to the workforce earlier.” As one father put it, “It’s not just about getting to know your kids at a crucial age but also ... See more
Karl Moore • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Paternity leave helped increase mother’s likelihood of returning to work (earlier). And less negative impact on careers (both parents)
While offering paid leave and building a culture that supports it may come at an added cost to employers, the fathers we spoke with showed how it can also increase employee engagement and retention. According to McKinsey research on how leaders can improve employee experience post-COVID-19, companies should target the smallest possible groups, incl... See more
Wahi Diome-Deer • A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal
Paternity leave can increase employee retention and engagement