Supporting Working Fathers: 4 Strategies for Companies

When we talk about supporting working parents, the narrative often focuses on the needs of women in the workplace. However, balancing fatherhood and a professional career is equally important and requires attention. While it’s true that working mothers carry a significant burden, supporting working fathers should also become a priority for modern companies. By offering greater support to men in the office, your company can help address some of the imbalances in responsibilities and stress that working parents face.

To ease the burden on working fathers, it’s time to reevaluate long-standing workplace norms. Here are four ways your company can better support male caregivers.

1. Flexibility

For working fathers, flexible work hours are just as important as they are for mothers. However, flexibility should not be seen as a privilege granted by the company but as a core philosophy. This means trusting employees to complete their work under conditions that best suit them—whether through an intermittent or flexible schedule.

Consider shifting to a results-based work environment instead of requiring employees to adhere to a fixed schedule. Working parents will appreciate the freedom to fulfill both family and professional commitments while prioritizing deadlines over rigid work hours.

For example, ensure that meetings do not conflict with fathers’ caregiving responsibilities, such as school drop-offs or pick-ups. If scheduling conflicts arise, reassess whether those with parental obligations are essential to the meeting.

Additionally, identify other benefits your company can offer based on employees’ evolving needs. Childcare benefits, for instance, are in growing demand.

2. Childcare Benefits

Finding reliable and affordable childcare is a challenge for many families. Nearly 54% of surveyed working families reported significant difficulties in securing the care they need for their young children. Supporting working fathers through childcare programs is key to reducing absenteeism. According to research by Snowflake, fathers who use flexible childcare arrangements miss an average of nine fewer workdays per year.

Benefit Care & Nais provides employer-subsidized care for children, elderly family members, and even pets. Our own user data shows that employees using Benefit Care & Nais through employer-sponsored care programs take an average of nine fewer leave days annually. Yes, nine!

A recent survey conducted by Care found that 87% of employees said they would have to miss work if they had caregiving responsibilities and no access to care services.

Clearly, access to childcare benefits is one of the most effective ways companies can support working fathers.

3. Parental Leave

Paternity leave offers benefits that go beyond bonding time. According to the Ministry of Family, fathers who take the full 14-day paternity leave are 37% less likely to experience burnout. For adoptive fathers, this time is just as crucial for adjusting to their new role.

A recent survey of fathers who took paternity leave found that nearly 60% felt that the time spent caring for their children was meaningful. Many also reported improved relationships with their partners and reduced mental stress. Overall, paternity leave made these fathers feel more valued and positively impacted their perception of their workplace.

However, some fathers expressed concerns about the potential impact of taking leave on their careers. Employers must reassure them that their career progression will not be hindered for taking time off to bond with their child.

4. Mental Health Support

While men may be less vocal about mental health struggles, this doesn’t mean they don’t experience them. For working fathers, stress related to caregiving can amplify mental health challenges. During the pandemic, nearly 70% of parents and caregivers reported mental health concerns. This figure rose to 85% for those responsible for both children and elderly family members.

For new fathers, mental health issues can also include paternal postpartum depression. While postpartum depression is commonly associated with mothers, up to 24% of fathers report experiencing depressive symptoms in the first few months after their child's birth.

Currently, companies face productivity losses due to employee depression and anxiety. Adding care benefits to your benefits package can provide employees with access to licensed and vetted mental health professionals. For men, this benefit is particularly significant as it helps break barriers to seeking support, ensuring equal access to resources for all employees.

The Future of Father-Friendly Workplaces

The past few years have been challenging for working parents. As men continue to balance work and family life in a post-pandemic world, they need benefits that genuinely support them and their families. In today’s competitive job market, providing meaningful support for working fathers can help your company retain top talent and attract the best employees.

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