Great news — an increasing number of employers are rolling out paid paternity leave for new fathers.
This is an excellent workplace perk that lets dads remain at home with a new baby without suffering a financial hit — yet there’s one catch.
Many new fathers aren’t taking advantage of it.
Why Some New Dads Skip Paid Paternity Leave
About 69% of Americans believe fathers should have paid paternity leave, so most people clearly support men taking time off work after a birth or adoption.
So why do mothers average about 11 weeks of leave while fathers take around one week?
- Some men worry that using paternity leave will harm their job prospects or career trajectory, even though just 13% of men in a recent Pew Research survey reported experiencing that.
- In households where the man is the main earner, some fathers can’t afford to take leave if it only replaces a portion of their pay during their absence.
- “Men worry about how they’ll be viewed by supervisors and coworkers if they step away, so they skip leave,” says Chris Duchesne, vice president of Global Workplace Solutions at Care.com.
- A 2014 Boston College study found many men experience a “tug of commitment” that makes it difficult to step away from work projects and deadlines to spend time with a newborn.
Why Paid Paternity Leave Matters for You (and Your Employer)
Being paid to be at home with your newborn is invaluable.
Any parent will tell you that those early moments of bonding with your baby are among the most joyful parts of parenthood. Those cherished memories also help you survive the many sleepless nights and bouts of crying without completely falling apart.
I’m not trying to alarm you — that early bonding period isimportant for your infant, too.
“The importance of bonding with the primary caregiver cannot be overestimated,” explains Dr. Mary Beth Steinfeld at the UC Davis Medical Center. “Lack of bonding significantly affects later development and the capacity to form healthy adult relationships.”
And when fathers use paternity leave, employers benefit as well.
Bank of America, for instance, provides 16 weeks of paid leave plus an extra 10 weeks unpaid to birth and adoptive parents as part of its benefits.
That generous policy is a win for both parents and the business, says Jim Huffman, the bank’s U.S. health and wellness benefits executive.
“I tell anyone who asks that the confidence and peace of mind parents have when they return to work is so much stronger because they had that time with their child,” he says. “I think paid parental leave is a fantastic benefit to invest in.”
Still not convinced?
Consider that paid parental leave also helps the wider economy.
“Economists have found that with paid leave, more people take time off, particularly low-income parents who might otherwise have taken no leave or left the workforce after childbirth,” reports the New York Times.
That means fathers who are supported with paternity leave come back to work after a baby’s arrival, keep filling jobs, earn wages and spend money — all of which supports a healthier economy.
Where to Find Employers That Offer Paid Paternity Leave
The growth in paid paternity leave is a promising trend we hope continues.
Unfortunately, not every employer offers it yet.
Here are a few companies that do:
- These 13 firms provide at least six weeks of paid leave to new fathers. One even provides a full year!
- Software firm Asana offers new dads 16 weeks of paid leave
- Market research company Nielsen provides paternity leave to employees — including remote staff
- Fatherly.com lists the 50 best workplaces for new fathers
Whether your employer offers paid paternity leave or not, a newborn will cost more than you expect. Be ready by checking out preparing for maternity leave and using practical tips to get through parental leave without draining your savings.
Alex Carter is a staff writer at Savinly. He believes all parents should have equitable time off to be with a new baby. No one should have to face colic on their own.
