Approximately two-thirds (65%) of respondents want to share parental leave with their partner, according to research by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Its study of 1,006 men and 1,006 women aged 18-48, and 100 recruitment decision-makers, also found that 70% of male and 61% of female respondents intend to make use of shared parental leave when it takes effect from April 2015.
The survey also found:
- 67% of respondents have, or would, look at a prospective employer’s maternity and paternity policy.
- 58% of recruiter respondents said that working women of childbearing age may be discriminated against by employers because they may choose to start a family.
- 35% of male respondents believe the childcare reforms will have a negative effect on their career.
- 80% of male and 90% of female respondents want to work part time after their next baby is born.
- A quarter (25%) of respondents would like the mother to stop work altogether after their next baby is born.
Leigh Lafever-Ayer, head of HR at Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK, said: “There are clearly mixed feelings from business and employees about the shared parental leave reforms.
“Our study shows that employees are really as concerned about being able to work flexibly after having a child as being able to share leave with their partner.
“Employees of all ages are looking to work for family-friendly organisations, so it would be beneficial for employers if, during the recruitment process, they make it clear potential hires what parental leave policies will be available to them.
“The message to employers is clear: embrace flexibility and be family friendly. Employees will warm to organisations that can help them build their career and care for their children. If employers do not do this, they risk failing to attract or retain talented people.”
