Any parental leave policy should be appropriately promoted to men, as well as women, to foster an environment underpinned by senior level support for gender equal care policies.
Alongside promoting equal parental leave allowances for parents of all genders, it is important that employers promote flexible working directly to men.
BITC’s research highlighted that 70 per cent of people said improving access to flexible working was the number one way that gender imbalances could be rectified and it is crucial that these are tracked and take up rates published.
FTA: What government policies would you recommend be put in place to further support carers?
A significant overhaul of the legislative framework governing the requirements of employers is desperately needed.
This should begin with the government amending the shared parental leave system and altering the 'maternal transfer mechanism' in favour of dedicated, ring-fenced support for new non-birth parents.
The government must underpin any changes with adequate financial support, while also enhancing access to flexible working, allowing employees to have the right to request it from day one.
Similarly, in keeping with the importance of these policies to men and women, employers should publish parental/carer/flexible work policies, alongside take up statistics on their website.
More broadly, the government should consider the powerful role that 'statutory minimums' play in guiding companies’ behaviour and harness this power to drive through significant progression.
Here in the UK we introduced our first form of maternity leave way back in 1975, but did not start talking about paternity leave until 2003. Now, in 2022, we need to start levelling the playing field.
calum.kapoor@ft.com
Last chance to enter our Diversity Awards!
Now in their fourth year, the FTAdviser Diversity In Finance Awards are open for entries until this Friday (March 18).
The DIFAs have been designed to celebrate individuals in financial services and UK financial services companies who have taken active steps towards a more inclusive, diverse and fair industry that works better for all stakeholders: colleagues, customers and the community.
Awards will be given to those individuals who have demonstrated their support for minority groups and their tireless efforts to promote and inspire those who are otherwise under-represented, as well as recognising companies whose policies, schemes or initiatives encourage and enable diversity in the workplace.
This is an opportunity for FCA-regulated, UK-based companies, large and small, to show how they are getting it right, and for employees to gain the recognition they deserve.
For more information and to enter, click here.
