PinPoint Collective’s Post

This makes me cross! It's time for the UK to step up when it comes to supporting parents. We have the worst paternity leave policy in Europe - just 2 statutory weeks at £184.03 per week and that means many fathers skip this crucial bonding opportunity so they don't struggle with money. Recent studies show that one in 3 UK fathers took no paternity leave at all, and for those who did, half reported financial hardship. This isn’t just about dads; it’s about the well-being of families. Today’s mums and dads are raising the next generation, the future of our society but we're making it harder for them. Parenting is tough enough without the added stress of poor leave policies. We should be encouraging parents, not penalising them for starting families. A Government that invests in fair, supportive parental leave is investing in it's future. The earlier both parents can be involved in their child’s life, the better balanced our society will become. And if we want healthy, balanced and resilient kids, we must start by giving parents the time and financial support they need to raise the next generation with care, stability and love. It's time for the UK to do better. Parents deserve more - our society deserves more.

We LOVE this campaign from the Dad Shift, advocating for better paternity leave in the UK. It highlights an important issue: the UK currently has the worst paternity leave in Europe. With Dad Shift’s new polling finding 90% of fathers expressing a desire to play a bigger role in their children's lives, this campaign shows a clear need for change. We are passionate about campaigning to improve paternity leave and pay – to ensure new fathers and partners can afford to take it – and to encourage more employers to enhance parental leave. We are looking forward to the government acting on their promise to 'review the parental leave system, so it best supports working families'. https://lnkd.in/ecDBDc7X

👉 70% of dads had to cut their paternity leave short because they couldn't afford to stay off any longer. 👉 64% took two weeks or less paternity leave following the birth of their most recent child. 👉 29% of dads could get their hands on enhanced paternity leave, dropping to a measly 20% for households bringing in less than £60,000. 👎 The UK has the least generous paternity leave entitlement in Europe. *EMPLOYERS* ❓ Do you want to close your gender pay gap? ❓ Do you want to improve representation of women in your senior leadership? ❓ Do you want the next generation of kids to grow up with parents/carers that are present? ❓ Do you want highly engaged, productive staff that sticks around? Because, by the way, the families in your organisation want the above things too... *THEN* ✅ Provide dads / partners with leave - make it more than a, frankly insulting, 2 weeks and consider parenthood goes well beyond the newborn stage. ✅ Normalise paternity leave - and take it yourself if it applies to you. ✅ Recognise your team might have different family structures therefore support needs to be tailored or widened. ✅ Sign up to the Workplace Nursery Scheme (link in comments) so the families in your organisation and reduce the cost of childcare. Research by Pregnant Then Screwed and Women In Data™️ PEACHIES | Rima Suppan | Jean Kachika | Lorenzo Mucchino https://lnkd.in/epU7PJ7N

🌟 As a father of three and a product leader in the tech industry, I’ve come to appreciate the delicate balance between professional responsibilities and family life. In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s crucial for fathers to have the flexibility to be present at home while pursuing their careers. The recent article from The Guardian highlights an inspiring campaign that uses baby slings as a powerful symbol, advocating for better paternity leave policies. This initiative sheds light on the importance of fathers’ involvement in childcare, not just as a support system, but as active caregivers. When fathers are empowered to take time off to bond with their children, it fosters a healthier work-life balance and ultimately leads to more engaged, productive employees. This not only benefits families but also enriches workplaces with diverse perspectives and experiences. It’s important to remember that the role of mothers is equally vital in this discussion, and we should all raise our voices to encourage a bigger involvement of fathers in parenting, creating a more equitable environment for everyone. Let’s continue to advocate for policies that support fathers in their dual roles, ensuring that they can thrive both at home and in their careers. Together, we can create a culture that values family and work equally! 💪👶 #PaternityLeave #WorkLifeBalance #Fatherhood #Inspiration

💡 *Wanted: your great ideas for a campaign name* 💡 I’m working with a group of dads to start a campaign for better paternity leave, specifically aimed at mobilising men, dads and co-parents. And I would love your ideas for what to name it. A bit of background: the UK’s statutory paternity leave is bad. Really bad. In fact, it’s the worst in Europe - new dads in the UK get the equivalent of just *2 days* of leave at full time pay. This is a major barrier to dads becoming actively involved in childcare, and that’s bad for everyone. It is bad for kids’ development, drives the gender pay gap, and means many fathers struggle to bond with their children. There are already groups like Pregnant Then Screwed mobilising women at scale to campaign for better paternity leave. Our hope is to build on the great work of the Fatherhood Institute and others and mobilise more men and dads. Because if we can help show this is something lots of dads want as well as mums it will add a lot of strength to the campaign. We have a rare window of opportunity over the next 12 months. Labour’s manifesto said they would review parental leave in their first year in office, which could mean paternity leave allowance will be increased for the first time in over 20 years. We believe campaigners have a crucial role to play in creating the political space the government needs to put forward a bold and progressive new parental leave policy. So - here’s how you can help: 1. Got an idea for a campaign name? Stick it in the comments, or DM it to me if you’d prefer. Remember: no bad ideas in a brainstorm. 2. If you’re up for supporting and sharing the campaign, respond to this post with the “Support” reaction (the hand with a heart) and I’ll let you know when it launches Any other ideas or suggested connections also very welcome. Thank you!

„[…] Proper parental leave for fathers and co-parents is good for mothers, good for babies, good for fathers and good for society too.[…]“ https://lnkd.in/d6RmbatN #equalcare

The UK has the worst paternity leave offer in Europe.   Currently, the UK offers only two statutory weeks of leave for new fathers, paid at just £184.03 a week. Recent research found 1 in 3 UK fathers took no paternity leave, and half of the families where fathers did take leave struggled financially. Compare this with other countries:   🇪🇸 Spain, where fathers get 16 weeks of paid leave—equal to maternity leave. 🇸🇪 Sweden, where parents share 480 days of paid leave.  🇯🇵 Japan offers 52 weeks, yet only 30% of fathers took advantage of it in 2023.   The Dad Shift campaign is calling for affordable parental leave, a substantial allowance of time, and equality among parents. Proper leave for fathers and co-parents benefits everyone —mothers, babies, fathers, and society as a whole. Countries with more generous paternity leave have smaller gender pay gaps and stronger economies too.   At Fertifa, we advocate for equality in parental leave because everyone’s family structure and home life will look different—companies should be accommodating single parents, LGBTQ+ parents, adoptive parents, and co-parents. Workplaces should support every employee.   Read the full article with more on The Dad Shift's campaign here:  https://lnkd.in/ecDBDc7X

The Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024 have amended the law and now applies in relation to children whose e𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟲 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, and children whose expected date of placement for adoption, or expected date of entry into Great Britain for adoption, is on or after that date. These regulations change the way in which the statutory entitlement to paternity leave is exercised, including changes to notice and evidence requirements, the period within which paternity leave must be taken, and the existing requirement that paternity leave be taken in one continuous period. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 From 𝟳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, the rate for 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 is rising from £𝟭𝟳𝟮.𝟰𝟴 𝘁𝗼 £𝟭𝟴𝟰.𝟬𝟯 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸. Key things you need to know about Paternity leave and pay: *️⃣ Eligible employees are entitled to one or two consecutive weeks' ordinary paternity leave and pay, which has risen to £184.03 per week from 7 April 2024. *️⃣ For babies with an expected week of childbirth (EWC) on or before 6 April 2024, and for children adopted before 6 April 2024, paternity leave must be taken within 56 days of birth or adoption. *️⃣ For babies with an expected week of childbirth (EWC) after 6 April 2024, and for children adopted on or after 6 April 2024, paternity leave must be taken within one year of birth or adoption. *️⃣ Employees, and qualifying agency workers, are entitled to take unpaid time off to accompany their pregnant partner to up to two antenatal appointments. *️⃣ Eligible employees may be able to take periods of shared parental leave (and possibly pay) which must be taken within a year of the child's birth or adoption. *️⃣ Employees will lose the right to ordinary paternity leave if they take a period of shared parental leave in relation to the child first. To navigate this change, please reach out to Sharon on 𝟬𝟳𝟳𝟱𝟯 𝟲𝟯𝟵 𝟮𝟯𝟳 or email hello@thrive-hr.co.uk #PaternityLeaveAmendments2024 #Managingyourworkforce #UKLegislation2024 #FamilyFriendly

A recent survey of 35,800 parents by Pregnant Then Screwed in collaboration with Women in Data® found: 👉 63% of fathers took two weeks or less paternity leave following the birth of their most recent child 👉 Only 29% of fathers were offered enhanced paternity pay 👉 48% of fathers who DID have access to enhanced paternity pay, were still only able to take two weeks or less of paternity leave 👉 Only 13% of fathers who took no more than two weeks of paternity leave felt emotionally ready to return to work The recent tweaks to paternity leave announced last week in the Spring budget are a "huge missed opportunity to invest in paternal caregiving for the benefit of the country's children, their mothers and the economy, as well as for dads themselves." Our campaign for six weeks' well-paid leave for new dads and partners continues - please support us by: 💚 Sharing the story of your experience of paternity or parental leave: https://lnkd.in/en8arMKb 💚 Making a donation if you can: https://lnkd.in/epbMA69c Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eA4qK7TZ Read the People Management magazine article, in which we're quoted, here: https://lnkd.in/eT5AsPKE

Men in the UK have launched a creative campaign to advocate for more generous paid parental leave for fathers. By tying model babies to statues across the country, they're hoping to bring attention to the importance of bonding for all parents. Later this month, they'll deliver a letter to the prime minister, focusing on why enhancing the policy is good for everyone: “Proper parental leave for fathers and co-parents is good for mothers, good for babies, good for fathers and good for society too. Countries with six or more weeks’ paternity leave have a gender pay gap that’s 4% smaller and a workforce participation gap that is 3.7% smaller too, meaning change can help grow the economy while helping British families." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecDBDc7X #paidleave #parentalleave #paternityleave