You gotta fight, for your right, to parental leave
Ed Whitehead
7 Things Dads Need To Know About Taking ExtraParental Leave
Parental leave for dads is often overlooked or underutilised. Like many businesses, my company, Fleet Street, offers two weeks fully-paid paternity leave, which I took as soon as my two children were born.
For most fathers, that’s all they end up taking, and that’s a shame on so many levels. Taking additional parental leave allows fathers to fully immerse themselves in the early stages of their child's life, support their partner, and experience priceless moments. Having taken additional parental leave with both of my sons, I'm compelled to share my experience and encourage fellow dads to consider doing the same – even if it’s not something your employer formally offers.
Legal entitlement
The most important thing to bear in mind is that parents are legally entitled to apply to share parental leave. In my experience, doing it the ‘official’ way can be quite complex and eats into your partner’s own maternity leave, but this option is a handy backup when negotiating leave with your employer.
Your employer will (probably) support you
Requesting parental leave shouldn’t be adversarial. Most employers want what’s best for you and will support you if you can come up with a reasonable plan. Fleet Street had never granted additional parental leave to a dad before I asked for it with my first child, but were happy to work with me to find a solution.
Boost your partner’s earning potential
Parental leave, particularly for dads, comes with its challenges. Asking for unpaid leave might ring alarm bells financially, but try to think long-term. Research from Sweden shows that for every additional month of paternity leave that dads take, it increases the mother’s lifetime earnings by 6.7% - likely to amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds over 20-30 years!
Find a financial solution that works for you
If you do end up taking unpaid leave, there are some work arounds to ensure you still have some money coming in. Mum could work some KIT days while you’re on baby duty, or you could take your leave once mum is back on the payroll, either when she’s back working, or using up accrued holiday.
Seize the opportunity
Logistical complexities may seem daunting, but don't let them hold you back. I spent hours working out which weeks would cause minimal disruption, but despite my forward planning, my parental leave coincided with a major crisis for one client, and all the prep for our most exciting new business pitch in years. There’s no such thing as the perfect time to be off –so just go for it and embrace the opportunity to be fully present in your child's life.
Support Your Partner
There’s nothing like a few days’ solo parenting to help adad really appreciate how much work their partner does during maternity leave.Stepping into that role allowed me to provide support and relief to my wife, so she could put herself first and enjoy some personal time, in addition to taking several KIT days to get back up to speed at work and reintegrate with her teams.
Embrace the Mundane Moments
Any parent knows that it isn't always glamorous. But from daily routines to unexpected challenges, each moment presents an opportunity for growth and connection. There will be frustrating times when you long for the structure of work or a bit of adult interaction, but try to cherish the simple joys of spending quality time with your child – witnessing my 11-month-old son mastering how to snap his hands like a crocodile and roar like a lion during my most recent period of leave were genuinely special moments that I’ll treasure for years.
For any father contemplating extra parental leave, I can’t recommend it highly enough. By prioritising your family and seizing the opportunity to take parental leave, you'll not only strengthen your bond with your child but also contribute to a more fulfilling and balanced family life.
