Businesses 'can benefit from new paternity laws'
Commercial insurance
8th June 2009
Businesses may well benefit from new paternity legislation, according to a lobbyist.
David Bartlett, deputy chief executive of think tank The Fatherhood Institute, said that businesses can reduce employee stress and boost motivation by providing them with more flexibility regarding the balance of childcare and work.
He added that "it will also be easier to retain the better quality staff", which is ultimately "a good business case" that is "good for business and it's good for families too".
His comments come after the government announced that it is indefinitely suspending its proposed overhaul of the current paternity leave system, first announced in 2005.
Under the proposals, fathers would have been given the option of taking six months' paternity leave when their children reached six months old.
However, Mr Bartlett suggested that "there is a strong argument" for bringing in the planned legislation, despite the recession.
Under current rules, new fathers are entitled to one or two weeks' paternity leave.
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