A WOMEN and Equalities Committee inquiry at Westminster has begun examining if fathers are being failed by the workplace.
The investigation was sparked by research showing that many fathers find workplaces unsupportive of their responsibilities for their children. Twice the number of fathers compared to mothers believe that working flexibly will have negative career impact, and 44 per cent said they had lied or bent the truth to employers about family-related responsibilities.
In the first evidence session of the inquiry, the committee will examine whether fathers are getting the support they need in the workplace to care for their children.
Maria Miller MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, said: “Many fathers want to be just as involved in their children’s lives as mothers do, which is good for children too, however, men can still find it difficult to get more flexible work and fear that asking might damage their career, with employers questioning their commitment.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here