Not just mums – why new dads need your support just as much as mums

Key takeaways

• Policy and cultural changes are making it more common for dads to take paid parental leave and be more engaged at home. 
• It’s important to create a supportive environment for all working parents with inclusive policies, resources and communication. 
• As a supervisor, you can play a huge role in supporting the mental health of parents who choose to return to work.

While paid parental leave is becoming increasingly available to men and women in organizations in Australia, only 17 per cent of those who take it are men.

Thankfully, the face of parenting in Australia is changing. And we’re not just talking about a cartoon dad in Bluey. (Although we reckon Bandit's helping a lot.) 

New legislation by the Albanese government is increasing the amount of Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks by 2026. In a new twist, both parents will be able to share the leave, take it at the same time, and fathers and non-birth parents are further encouraged to take leave in a ‘use it or lose it’ scheme.  

So what does all this mean as a manager or owner of a small business? Parental leave is no longer viewed through the lens of primary and secondary caregivers. Things are changing, and partners are being actively encouraged to take leave. It’s therefore a good idea to get on the front foot so you’re prepared to support the parents in your organisation.  

Why is it essential to support fathers as much as mothers?  

With outdated gender stereotypes – such as the male ‘breadwinner’ and the female ‘homemaker’ – on their way out, men are increasingly providing for their families financially and doing more at home.  

And while this is a positive in addressing gender imbalances, it does come with additional pressure. Throw in the cost of living pressures, sleep deprivation, job stability, financial fears and concerns about how their partner is coping, and you have a perfect storm that can lead to stress, anxiety and mental ill health in fathers (one in 10 dads suffer from perinatal anxiety and/or depression).  

There is still plenty of stigma around fathers asking for help, airing their concerns, and being vocal about wanting to be more involved in raising their children. As a leader in your organisation, you can help create change by providing a supportive environment for all working parents and carers with inclusive, family-friendly policies, mindful communication, and resources to support positive mental health for parents.  

While here we specifically address challenges for dads, we want to acknowledge that same-sex couples also experience challenges (particularly when assumptions are made about outdated roles as ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ carer), and have the same need for support from  their organisation.  

Why the return to work is so important   

It’s no secret that many new parents struggle to adjust to returning to work with the increasing demands of parenthood. Our recent dads and partner survey suggests that many struggle with juggling work and home life, and wish they could have taken more leave.  

Personally and financially, the parent returning to work while the other stays home to care for the child (mum or dad) often feels like they need to be the one to hold it all together. This added strain can lead to unhealthy coping behaviours (such as social withdrawal or increased alcohol use) which can further impact their wellbeing and how they show up at work.   

Supervisor support is one of the most powerful contributors to good mental health and wellbeing in new parents.  You can demonstrate your support by being open to flexible work arrangements, hybrid work options and encouraging your employee to consider healthy boundaries (such as having ‘hard’ finish times, empowering them to switch off devices when they’re not in the office, encouraging them to use their out-of-office to communicate their flexible working hours etc.) that will work for them and the business.  

A long-term approach to support all parents 

With many of us working from home over the past few years, the barriers parents previously faced when combining work and home life have come down for some. Virtually overnight, it became accepted practice to have kids interrupt important meetings or for parents to fit their schedules around their kids' schooling, at least in some industries.  

While none of the circumstances around this newfound flexibility were ideal, the shift highlighted how many of the barriers parents faced were perceived rather than necessary. Parenting is a long game and, yes, the support when new parents re-enter the workforce is vital. However ongoing support and flexibility help attract and retain talented dads in your workplace too.