Employers are still “putting soft pressure” on new fathers not to take paternity leave, Newstalk Breakfast presenter Jonathan Healy has said.
Currently men in Ireland are entitled to two weeks off after the birth of their child.
Their employers do not have to pay them - although many companies do - and Jonathan Healy believes many subtly try and dissuade new Dads from going on leave.
“I still think this system is configured to prevent men from taking it,” he said.
“We’ve got paternity leave, you’re got parental leave - streamlined it is not and as a result of that you’ve got employers who will inevitably put soft pressure on their staff not to take it.
“‘Are you sure you want to take that full amount? We really need you back on the job.’
“Things that couldn’t possibly be said to a woman.”
Does lower paternity benefit mean fathers are less likely to take time off? Shane Coleman and @jonathanhealy discuss on @NTBreakfast pic.twitter.com/7pzMXoZGpe
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 16, 2022
CSO data from 2018 found that only 45% of entitled Dads in Ireland took paternity leave.
Main image: A Dad and his baby. Picture by: Ljm/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire
