Fathers' Views On Paternity Pay

More fathers would take up paternity leave if the rate of pay was increased, according to new research from MORI. The project, commissioned by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Hammonds law firm, shows fewer than half of fathers with children aged 16 and under (46%) say they would take paternity leave paid at the current flat rate of around 163100 per week if they were to become a father again.

This rises to four in five (80%) who say they would take leave at 90% of full pay, increasing towards nine in 10 (87%) who say they would take it if paid at full salary. The current time allowed for statutory paternity leave (two weeks) is considered adequate by the majority of workers (53%).

The research also shows flexible working practices are widely available to British employees, with four in five workers (80%) saying their employer offers some form of flexible working. Part-time working and variable working hours (coming in early/ leaving late) are the most widely available.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a quota sample of 1,193 adults in Great Britain using the MORI Telephone Omnibus. Fieldwork for the study was conducted between 20-22 August and 3-5 September 2004. Data have been weighted by gender, age, social class, region and working status to match the national profile.