Fewer fathers taking supplementary paternity leave than expected

Only 59 percent of fathers take supplementary paternity leave, extra leave of up to five weeks at 70 percent pay. That is lower than previous estimates. Fathers with low incomes, or conversely, very high incomes, are least likely to take the supplementary leave, NU.nl reports based on research by economists Zichen Deng and Coen van de Kraats, published in the economics journal ESB.

Fathers and other partners of women who have given birth have been able to take five weeks of supplementary paternity leave in addition to a week of fully paid leave. The idea behind this leave is for fathers and mothers to divide household tasks more equally, giving new mothers more room for their paid work. On average, women experience a sharp decline in income after having a child, while men do not.

Previous studies estimated that 74 to 84 percent of fathers make use of the supplementary paternity leave. But according to the economists’ survey of 332,000 fathers, only 59 percent actually took the extra leave at lower pay.

The researchers found major differences among income groups. In the lowest income group, only a third of men took supplementary leave, compared to nearly two-thirds in the middle income group. Fathers in the lowest income group earn an average of €14,000 per year. A 30 percent cut to their monthly salary would leave little to make ends meet. These men also often work with temporary contracts, which may make them feel unable to take time off work.

At the top 5 percent of incomes, 44 percent of fathers use supplementary paternity leave. These men earn around €140,000 per year and experience a steeper decline in income. They don’t receive 70 percent of their salary, but a maximum wage of €55,000. So here, too, money likely plays a role in the decision not to take leave. The effect on career development is also likely involved, the researchers wrote.

The researchers warn that current leave arrangements could widen differences between income groups. “The gender gap may decrease among middle-income earners, but low-income earners actually lag behind others in their ability to spend time with their children and family.”