More than half of dads struggle to secure flexible working – and over a third admit their mental health is affected by not being able to achieve a work-family life balance.
A new report published by Daddilife, a platform and community for millennial dads, shows that a third of new dads have already changed jobs since becoming a father – with another third are actively looking to change.
The report featured findings from a survey of more than 2,000 working dads between the ages of 24 and 40. Nearly 60% said they want employers to provide more flexible working, and almost half say improving paternity leave is “vital”.
“We know first-hand from listening to working dads that there is a real gap in provision for new working fathers who need support to help them navigate the world of paternity leave, flexible working, and dealing with employers who refuse to listen,” said Han-Son Lee, founder of Daddilife.
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The report, titled The Millennial Dad at Work, also found 63% of new dads have requested a change in working pattern since becoming a father –14% have requested to work from home between one and two days a week, but less than one in five of those dads were granted a change.
Nearly 40% of dads have requested a change in working hours with 44% unsuccessful. Only 56% believed that fathers were treated equally to mothers in their workplaces.
This is leading working dads to experience tension from their employers when trying to balance work and family life, as well as feeling guilty – 61% experience feelings of guilt with their partner, while 51% feel guilty with their children at home.
Lee believes fathers are more involved in day-to-day parenting than ever before, yet he says many employers cling on to “old-fashioned views” of society – where mum stays at home and takes on the childcare, while dad works to provide for the family.
“What is clear from our research is that society is changing fast and if organisations want to retain their best employees, government and business need to drive meaningful change for a new generation of fathers,” he said.
In response to the findings of his survey, Lee has launched a hub on the Daddilife website, designed to raise awareness of the issues working dads face, kickstart action from business and government – and provide practical advice for working dads.