Flexibility for fathers: Why your EVP must empower all parents

Hello and welcome back to my newsletter! I write about the future of work, flexible working, startups, and DEI. If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, join over 29,000 people and subscribe here!

This week, I want to talk about the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for all parents. Now, when we think about flexible working, it's often viewed as a perk mainly for working mums. Firstly it isn’t a perk, it’s a must-have, and secondly it’s not only essential for working mums. 

If we really want to make flexible work the norm, we've got to break down these societal stereotypes and make sure flexible working is prioritised for dads too. When organisations focus on supporting all parents, only then can they create truly inclusive workplaces and better work-life integration for all working parents. 

In this newsletter, I’ill explore why we need to prioritise flexible working for dads, the positive impact it will have, and how organisations can incorporate this into their EVP.

In this newsletter I will look at : 

📊Graph of the week - 72% of dads require location and hours flexibility compared to 68% of average Flexa users

👶5 eye-opening stats about working dads 

🍼Companies leading the way with enhanced parental leave

👪5 ways to create an inclusive workplace for working dads

💬Real world examples: How flexible working is redefining fatherhood 

📚This week’s must-read blogs 

⭐Discover your EVP pillars with our 2 minute quiz

Why flexible working is essential for dads

Our recent data highlights a growing demand for flexibility among working dads. A notable 72% of dads require flexibility in location and working hours, compared to 68% of average Flexa users. This shows that dads not only value flexibility but also need it to manage their dual roles effectively. Here are some of the main reasons why flexible working is a must-have for working dads: 

Balancing work and family life

For many working dads, the ability to adjust their work schedules and locations is crucial for achieving a healthy work-life balance. This flexibility allows them to be more involved in their children's lives, from attending school events to handling childcare responsibilities. Without this flexibility, dads often face significant stress and challenges in juggling professional and personal obligations.

Challenging gender stereotypes

Promoting flexible working for dads plays a major part in challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Historically, caregiving responsibilities have fallen disproportionately on women, but this dynamic is changing. By normalising flexible working for dads, we move towards a more equitable distribution of family responsibilities, creating an environment where both parents can thrive professionally and personally.

Enhancing well-being and productivity

When dads are given the flexibility they need, it can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and well-being. Employees who feel supported in balancing their work and family life are generally more motivated and productive. This can result in lower turnover rates and higher overall employee engagement, benefiting the organisation as a whole.

5 eye-opening stats on why flexible working should be the norm for dads

• Half (53%) of new dads and partners entitled to paternity leave who request flexible working don’t get the flexibility they ask for

• One in four (24%) dads and partners that didn’t ask for flexible working said it was because they didn’t know they could ask for flexibility at work.

• One in five (18%) didn’t ask for flexibility because they didn’t think it would be approved.

• Mothers who are working full-time are 2.5 times more likely than full-time dads to request flexible working.
• 1 in 5 dads who manage to take time off end up working during leave

How organisations can support dads with flexible working 

As these stats show, we need to do more to support working dads. Here are some ways companies can incorporate flexible working into their EVP:

1. Promote flexible work policies:

It's time to shout from the rooftops about the fantastic flexible work options available to all employees. You need to make sure everyone knows that these policies aren't just for mums - they're for every parent. Spread the word and make sure all working dads know that they've got the green light to embrace flexible working!

2. Lead by example:

If you want your teams to feel comfortable with flexible working, you need to lead by example. By having your leadership team model these behaviours, you're sending a powerful message that flexible working is not only acceptable but encouraged for everyone. Remember, actions speak louder than words, so lead the way and show your teams that work-life integration is a priority for all!

3. Provide resources and support:

From flexible work training programs to support networks where working parents can stay connected, make sure you give your employees everything they need to succeed. Get working dads involved in creating these resources so they are relevant and tailored. 

4. Create an inclusive culture:

You want every single employee to feel valued and supported, no matter their gender or parental status. Flexibility should be woven into the fabric of your culture and EVP, so everyone feels empowered to balance their work and personal lives. Take the time to celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that each employee brings to the table and create an environment where everyone can thrive. 

By prioritising flexible working for dads, organisations not only support their employees better but also pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable workplace. 

🍼Companies leading the way with enhanced parental leave

One key workplace benefit which employees can incorporate to empower working dads is enhanced parental leave. Enhanced parental leave exceeds the minimum legal requirements for parental leave provided by an employer meaning both parents can have more quality time with their new child. Research shows that when parents have access to paid leave and flexible work options, it can lead to improved health outcomes for both the parent and child, as well as greater gender equality in the workplace and at home. 

Here are some more Flexified companies leading the way with enhanced parental and maternity leave. 

MONY Group: MONY group is the UK’s leading price comparison website - providing free, online tools to help people manage, save and grow their money, by enabling them to compare and switch Insurance, Money and Home products.

Trust Keith: Trust Keith helps founders and operators, save the time, energy, and ambiguity of managing data protection themselves. 

WeTransfer: A platform to empower creatives while using business as a force for good.

Virgin Media 02: An award-winning fibre broadband provider & telecommunications company that manages 47 million UK connections across broadband, mobile, TV and home.

Attest: Attest is the consumer research platform that puts trustworthy insights in more people's hands.

Microsoft: Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the plant to achieve more. 

You can discover more Flexified companies leading the way here. 

💬Real world examples: How flexible working is redefining fatherhood 

“Working part-time and remotely for Flume has afforded me the time to do nursery drop off’s and pick-ups, it’s meant I rarely miss bath time or reading my son a bedtime story, it’s enabled me to attend his nativity plays and sports days, it’s meant I have the time to take him to his swimming lessons and watch him go from complete beginner to swimming a width, it’s meant I get to spend quality time with him after nursery at the park. All the things I’d have missed if I was working full time for an inflexible business. We recently welcomed a new daughter to our family; I’m so pleased I’ll be able to be a big part of her childhood too.”

Ed Povey, Sales Performance Coach, Flume Training

“The one thing we can never get back in life is time. Working dads need to recognise that taking time for family is not only beneficial for their children but also for their own wellbeing and professional performance. They should remind themselves that they are setting a positive example for their children on how to maintain healthy life balance habits. Also, even though it feels like you’re going through this all on your own, and you’re the only one dealing with certain challenges, you're not. Talking to peers who have faced similar challenges and talking openly about their feelings can really help.”

Richard Odufisan, Co-host of the Tales From The Plantation Podcast & former DEI Lead at Wayve

“Having flexible arrangements help me be the dad I've always wanted to be. I can see my son in the morning, check on him after a call, and walk steps away to be there for him after work. It's not something I was allowed to do years ago.”

Alex Her, Global Employer Brand Storyteller

📚This week’s must-read blogs 

Redefining fatherhood: how flexible work empowers dads

Empowering new parents with enhanced parental leave

Beyond parental leave - how to create an inclusive workplace for parents

🔍Discover your EVP pillars with our 2-minute EVP quiz

Have you ever stopped to think about what makes up your EVP and the different areas that define you as a company? Whether you have given it a little thought or none at all, our EVP quiz can help. This quiz is designed to help you identify your most valuable EVP pillars so you can shout about them to retain top talent. Once you complete the quiz, you will be shown your EVP tags as per the below example. These tags will highlight your company mission and values, work culture, and working environment. 

When you become a Flexified company, these tags can feature on your profile to help you retain top talent. Candidates can also use these EVP pillars to search for companies, making it easier to attract aligned talent. You can take the EVP quiz here.