Working fathers opting for 'sickies' over flexible working

Achieving the perfect work-life balance equilibrium is an unsuccessful plight for many an HR department.

This year’s Modern Families Index, a study commissioned by Bright Horizons and Working Families, revealed that fathers are under-utilising flexible working policies, resulting in more sick days; 36% of all fathers had pulled a ‘sickie’, with this course of action rising to 48% for those aged between 16 and 35.

This has resulted in feelings of resentment towards employers – 31% of father felt aggrieved towards their employers due to their work-life balance, compared to 24% of mothers.   

These feelings were more prominent in younger fathers. 45% of 16- to 25-year-olds felt this way, compared to 36% of 26- to 35-years-olds.