Dads Want Flexible Work Schedules Along with Working Moms

For the most part we have thought about flex-time policies for working moms, but with more Gen X and Gen Y fathers in the workforce men are seeking work/life balance in a similar way to working mothers.

With the competition for talent and the looming skills shortage as the Baby Boomers reach retirement employers must recognize the necessity for offering flexible work schedules and paid paternity leave as a key strategy for recruiting as well as retaining top talent.

However, one of the keys to making father friendly work environments effective is making such benefits acceptable and communicating this acceptance openly throughout the company.

A new poll conducted by Monster.com indicated that when searching for a job, 82% of working dads view companies more positively if they offer a flex-time benefit.
According to the Monster Intelligence Father's Day survey, 71% of dads with a child under five took paternity leave when offered, compared with just 48% of dads with a school-aged child, indicating that dads are increasingly embracing work/life benefits.
Approximately one-third of dads with toddlers reported that their employer provided paternity leave benefits or flexible work schedules for fathers; among working men whose employers offered paternity leave, 58% took advantage of it, and 71% adopted flexible work schedules when it was offered by their employers.
Monster's survey also reports that if money were no object, 68% of dads would consider being a stay-at-home parent.
The Monster survey demonstrates that the workplace benefit fathers appreciate most is a flexible work schedule (53%), followed by telecommuting (24%), onsite child care (12%), and paid paternity leave (10%).
It is becoming apparent that as more Gen X and Gen Y fathers seek to devote more time to their families companies will have to adopt gender neutral flex-time policies if they are going to retain as well as recruit the best and the brightest.