New UK fathers granted extra ‘daddy leave’

London: Men are too often mocked in the work place for wanting to go part time or leaving early to pick up their children, the Liberal Democrat equalities minister has said, as she announced detailed plans for new mothers and fathers to share a year of parental leave after the birth of a child.

Jo Swinson, who is eight months’ pregnant, said she wanted to change the culture of workplaces to prevent the “conflict” between people’s jobs and family life, making it just as normal for fathers to take on caring responsibilities as mothers.

She criticised the “cultural double-standards” and said it was not right for men to be disparaged for wanting to work less to spend more time caring for their children.

The proposals for parents to share 12 months of leave after the birth of a child were outlined by the Lib Dems last year, with the aim of helping women return to the workplace and allowing men to have more involvement in caring for new babies.

However, the details have only just been thrashed out by the coalition after months of wrangling about how to minimise hassle for businesses.

Under the new plans starting in April 2015, a couple will have to give their employers an indicative breakdown of how they plan to share their leave eight weeks before it starts. They will then be able to change their proposals twice during the year-long leave.

In a concession to businesses, bosses will have to agree any proposed pattern of time off and have the right to insist it is confined to a continuous block. Fathers will also get a new right to unpaid leave to attend up to two antenatal appointments.

Sources said Grant Shapps, the Conservative party chairman, led an effort to water down the package, backed by Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, Francis Maude, a cabinet office minister, Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, and Eric Pickles, the communities secretary.

The Conservative cabinet ministers wanted couples to give a binding commitment on how they would share the leave in advance, but the Lib Dems argued this would defeat the point of flexibility.

However, the Tories managed to retain the rules that parents will only be entitled to get the same job back if they take less than six months off, with anyone who takes longer potentially getting a similar but not identical role.

The Conservatives previously killed off Nick Clegg’s demands for a month of dedicated ‘daddy leave’ instead of the current two weeks.

The two parties have agreed to review the take-up of shared parental leave by fathers and look at extending paid paternity leave and pay “once the economy is in a stronger position”.

Business groups, including the British Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, welcomed the plans, saying they had been simplified and made manageable for companies.

However, the Institute of Directors said shortening the notice period given to employers before parents return to work would create a “nightmare” for smaller firms. Other critics also pointed out surveys suggesting just one in 20 men will take up the offer.