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Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
The government has committed to reviewing parental leave during its first year in office.
It says it wants statutory paternity leave to be a day-one right for all employees. Currently, it applies to dads who have been employed for 26 weeks or more.
But even with these proposed changes, campaigners say the UK's parental leave system is one of the wors... See more
It says it wants statutory paternity leave to be a day-one right for all employees. Currently, it applies to dads who have been employed for 26 weeks or more.
But even with these proposed changes, campaigners say the UK's parental leave system is one of the wors... See more
Kristian Johnson • Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
The Labour government has committed to reviewing SPL policies, but more can be done sooner
As the sole earner in his young family, 21-year-old Josh Wiborg couldn't take shared parental leave when his twin girls were born.
Like so many dads, he was entitled to only two weeks off work, at reduced pay.
He says it left him "feeling like a stranger" to his twin girls, Autumn and Winter, in the first few weeks of fatherhood.
“It was awful," he sa... See more
Like so many dads, he was entitled to only two weeks off work, at reduced pay.
He says it left him "feeling like a stranger" to his twin girls, Autumn and Winter, in the first few weeks of fatherhood.
“It was awful," he sa... See more
Kristian Johnson • Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
It can’t be a choice between taking paternity leave or taking a huge pay cut — everyone looses
Pete Target, from London, took nine weeks off work to look after his son, Jay, when he was nine months old.
"It was everything I’d hoped for," says Pete, 36.
"We’re closer than we could have possibly otherwise been."
But he admits it was a "difficult financial decision".
Because his section of shared parental leave fell outside the 37-week window for g... See more
"It was everything I’d hoped for," says Pete, 36.
"We’re closer than we could have possibly otherwise been."
But he admits it was a "difficult financial decision".
Because his section of shared parental leave fell outside the 37-week window for g... See more
Kristian Johnson • Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
Dads are positive about the time spent with their new infant but have to consider their breadwinner contributions
A government review from 2023, external suggests almost half (45%) of all dads weren't even aware shared parental leave was an option.
And it was used in fewer than 2% of all births last year.
And it was used in fewer than 2% of all births last year.
Kristian Johnson • Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
Such a low uptake rate… Even though perceptions have changed and dads want to be more involved
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift says: "There's a big awareness gap, there's a complexity problem and there's a challenge about most men feeling uncomfortable taking leave off the mother of their child."
Kristian Johnson • Shared parental leave ‘failing working families’
It’s not shared parental leave — it’s shared maternity leave