The positive impacts of shared parental leave: how to boost take up

Watchdog findings have this week suggested that problems in business could be reduced if flexible jobs were more readily advertised. The equality watchdog advises that if flexible working were more available this could positively impact on the pay gap and on fathers who would have more support when taking time off to care for children. This follows findings by People Management which revealed only 7,100 men received shared parental pay in 2016-17. So how can HR help remedy this issue and what are the practical steps to take?

Financially Viable

Potentially the biggest reason for poor take up on shared parental leave is the financial implication it has for families. As it stands, the current rate a mother or father will be paid is £139.58 a week. If employers offer pay which is closer to a normal wage and larger than the legal minimum statutory payment the practicalities of taking leave could become much simpler and provide greater options to families who may otherwise be limited by whichever parent has the larger salary.

Employee Buy-In