Dads Welcome Work/Life Benefits Too

Father's Day has come and gone, but working dads still want acknowledgement of their role as a parent ' especially in the workplace. In fact, they want more work/life benefits at their job, as evidenced by increasing numbers of working fathers taking advantage of programs that were traditionally only utilized by mothers, according to a new Monster survey.
 
The Monster Intelligence Father's Day Survey, conducted in late May, showed that working fathers are increasingly aware of the need to integrate the demands of their work and the responsibilities of caring for their family. More than half (58 percent) of working fathers surveyed feel that their employer should be more considerate of the needs of working dads.   'Given the current war for talent and looming skills shortage, employers should recognize that offering benefits such as flexible work arrangements and paid paternity leave is a key tactic for recruiting and retaining talent, commented Peter Castrichini, vice president of compensation, benefits, and human resources operations at Monster.  

The survey showed that employers could show working fathers that the organization respects and embraces their family life by introducing more work/life benefits, such as paid paternity leave, flexible schedules, telecommuting, and on-site child care ' the top work/life benefits working fathers seek.  

Only one-third of fathers with toddlers reported that their employer offered parental leave benefits or flexible work schedules for working dads. Yet, 71 percent of fathers surveyed with a child under 5 took paternity leave when it was offered. The same adopted flexible schedules, when available. In addition, a company with flex-time benefits is viewed more positively by 82 percent of working fathers.  

The Monster survey revealed additional data that highlights the importance of life outside of work for working fathers. Forty-six percent of working fathers reported that they never bring work home during the week. About a third said that they bring work home one to two nights a week. Yet, 78 percent said that this practice affect's their relationship with their children. A significant percentage of fathers would be willing to forgo work to avoid infringement on time with their children; 68 percent surveyed would consider being a stay-at-home parent if money were not a consideration.
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Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons
In 1986, our founders saw that child care was an enormous obstacle for working parents. On-site centers became one way we responded to help employees – and organizations -- work better. Today we offer child care, elder care, and help for education and careers -- tools used by more than 1,000 of the world’s top employers and that power many of the world's best brands

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