Only 45% of employers in the top quartile offer full-paying parental leave with equal pay.

According to a survey of 270 organisations offering the most generous paternity and maternity policies in the country, 62% of them offer fathers at least six weeks of full pay. This shows that progressive companies are adopting this as a standard leave period.

According to a further analysis by the Fatherhood Institute, the average leave period for mothers is 22.7 weeks compared with just 4.9 for fathers.

In addition, 78% employers who are “non-equals” do not offer enhanced maternity benefits to fathers and second parents on shared parental leave. This is the main reason for the low take up.

Ian Dinwiddy is the creator of Inspiring Dads, a database that promotes gender equality. He said: “Fully-paid, extended parental leaves are a powerful tool for improving gender equality both at home and in the workplace. This creates choices and opportunities for families, and shouldn’t be limited to progressive employers.

According to the fatherhood organisation, employers who simply follow the legal requirements are classified as “second tier”.

Dr Jeremy Davies is the deputy CEO of the Fatherhood Institute. He campaigns for the government to increase the UK’s statutory parental leave offer. “Even if they work for a ‘top tier employer’, dads still get cast as secondary parents. We need a statutory scheme that closes the gap between fathers and mothers entitlements.

“Fathers should have time to bond with their children and to care for them. This shouldn’t depend on the generosity of employers. It should be affordable and available to all dads.”

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