How can employers get more dads to take parental leave?
Start with supportive policies, then make leave a cultural norm.
Most new dads and non-birthing parents in the U.S. don't have access to paid family leave. But even when paid leave is available, men often don't max out their time. On average, dads who take paid leave take less than a week; fewer than 5% take two weeks or more.
In part, that's because men who take family-related leave are penalized for violating masculine and ideal worker stereotypes. They're seen as less committed to work, reliable and deserving of a job.
The good news: supportive workplaces can dampen the stigma.
Policy changes are necessary to make paid parental leave more widely available. But for companies with supportive policies in place, making parental leave a cultural norm should increase uptake.