Mums of Young Children in Breach of EU Working Time Directive

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Frostie

We are not surprised at the news that mothers work so hard that they are in breach of Articles 3, 5 and 6 (b) of 2003 of the of EU Working Time Directive. Mums caring for a baby full time exceed maximum working hours, are not given adequate rest periods and do not receive paid annual leave from their baby employers

The number of hours each week that British mothers spend looking after their children would be in breach of the European Union’s Working Time Directive if this work were to be treated in the same way as paid employment, research by leading greeting card and gift retailer Clintons has revealed.

The Working Time Directive states that employees should work no longer than 48 hours per week. Workers are also entitled to a rest period of eleven consecutive hours in every 24-hour day, a rest break every six hours of work; an uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours in every seven day week, and paid annual leave of at least four weeks every year. Employees who work night shifts have extra protection and cannot be asked to work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period.

Baby experts recommend that a baby between the ages of 12-18 months should sleep for around 14 hours a day, meaning a parent is actively looking after their child for the remaining ten hours. Across a 7-day period, this comes to a minimum of 70 hours a week, exceeding the maximum limit of a 48-hour working week specified by Article 6 (b) of the Working Time Directive by a shocking 22 hours. On top of this 70-hour minimum, mothers also have several hours of ancillary work each day and are constantly “on call” to respond to any emergencies, meaning their actual rest period is often reduced to six hours a day.

Of the 14 hours of sleep a baby should get each day, around three hours come in the form of daytime naps, and the remaining 11 hours come at night. Article 3 of the Working Time Directive states that workers are entitled to a “minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours per 24-hour period” and therefore getting up in the middle of the night if the baby starts crying would be in breach of this rule.

Looking after a baby for seven days a week is also in breach of Article 5 which specifies that “per each seven-day period, every worker is entitled to a minimum uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours plus the 11 hours’ daily rest referred to in Article 3.”

Article 7 of the 2003 EU directive states that “every worker is entitled to paid annual leave of at least four weeks.” A Clintons survey of babies found that 0% of them had made provisions to fulfil this requirement.

Tim Fairs, director at Clintons, said: “Parents put in a huge amount of work, week in and week out, looking after their kids. Often this work goes completely unrewarded. Mothers’ Day is an opportunity to say thank you for everything mums do, but we shouldn’t wait for just one special day every year to acknowledge their hard work. We should celebrate mums every day of the year.”

Mother’s Day originated in the United States in 1908 when Anna Jarvis from West Virginia held a memorial for her mother. During the Second World War, American soldiers brought the celebration to the UK, where it merged with the older religious festival of Mothering Sunday when people would return to their mother church for a service held on the fourth Sunday of Lent known as Laetare Sunday.

Introduced in 2003, the European Union’s Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) gives workers within the EU certain rights relating to numbers of hours worked each week, annual holiday entitlement, rest breaks and days off.

In the UK, workers have the option to work in excess of the 48 hours specified by the working time directive if they choose to, however this option does not apply to employees in all sectors. The statutory leave period in the UK is 5.6 weeks per year.

Tim Fairs, added: “Many mothers work incredibly hard all year round and never have a day off. No matter how old you are, take a moment this Mothers’ Day to let your mum know how much you appreciate her.”

UK’s Most Beloved Comedies

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Frostie

For many years Britain has enjoyed something of an unparalleled reputation amongst global audiences for its hit comedies.

And with the global marketplace being ever more important to TV providers with the advent of new technologies, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the UK’s best comedies to see how they’ve succeeded.

The Goon Show

For many, The Goon Show set the ball rolling in terms of British comedy. Although it only featured on BBC Radio, it launched the careers of Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan as well as dozens of popular catchphrases that resonate to this very day.

Monty Python

And then in late sixties, six highly creative and chaotic individuals revolutionised comedy with Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The show lasted well over a decade and spawned many critically acclaimed films and is considered one of our national treasures.

The Young Ones

Borrowing some of Monty Python’s surreal humour and injecting it with a great deal of anarchism was the Young Ones. Starring Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Christopher Ryan, it signalled a new dawn for alternative comedy and ushered in a whole new wave of national moral panic!

Blackadder

Another classic comedy that capitalised on the new wave of alternative comedy stars was Blackadder that launched the careers of Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Tony Robinson. Ingeniously setting the show over different historical periods allowed the show’s subversive humour to blossom to great effect.

Only Fools and Horses

One of the nation’s favourite comedies has to be Only Fools and Horses that saw the hapless Delboy and Rodney in their eternal struggle to be millionaires. Although the pair never fully managed to make their fortune, they still regularly return for Christmas specials.

Little Britain

Signalling a new wave of comedic talent for the 21st century, Little Britain relied on an old-school sketch show format with catchphrases and instantly recognisable characters. But what really propelled this show to legendary status were the talents of Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and Little Britain has become so popular that it now has its own slot game where players can win impressive bonuses whilst being mocked by their favourite Little Britain characters!

Father Ted

And finally, one of the most unlikely recent success stories is that of Father Ted. This classic series saw three priests on the remote Craggy Island survive a series of surreal and hilarious mishaps that perfectly sums up the eccentricities of living a somewhat backwards parochial life!

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Frostie

Mother’s Day is on the 15th of March this year and It is time to spoil the most important women in your life. Here is our handy guide to gift-buying for Mother’s Day.

Ringtons loose tea and infuser gift box

We love this. The tea is absolutely amazing and the infuser is easy to use and looks great.

The fantastically presented loose tea infuser sets come in a stylish Ringtons cream and gold gift box, decorated with the famous Ringtons crest. The sets include a Ringtons tea infuser – a simple device designed to take the fuss out of preparing loose tea and bring out the full flavour of the leaves – and three full size packet of expertly selected loose teas as well as three x 30g sample blends.

The Luxury Great British Tea Infuser Gift Box (top image) • £22.99

Includes: Traditional English Breakfast loose tea (125g), Afternoon Blend loose tea (125g), and Classic 1907 loose tea (125g), and 3 x 30g samples.

The Luxury Taste the Exotic Tea Fuser Gift Box

• £22.99

Includes: Bird of Paradise loose tea (50g), Samavor Orange Spice loose tea (125g), and Mint Marrakech loose tea (125g), and 3 x 30g samples.

The Ringtons Signature loose teas featured and Ringtons gift boxes are available via mail order at www.ringtons.co.uk or via customer care on Freephone 0800 052 2440.

Some Flowers.

Try The Fantastic ‘Summer Memories’ Bouquet – Fresh Flowers with free Delivery

The Notebook on DVD

Mother And Daughter Message Bangle from notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised Thank You Print by Rosie Robins from notonthehighstreet.com

Mum’s Measure Wine Glass by Becky Broome from notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised Family Tree Cushion by A Type Of Design from notonthehighstreet.com

Cocktails are always a good idea….

Quintessentially Vodka Rhubarb Rickey

35ml Quintessentially Vodka

12.5ml Rhubarb liqueur / syrup

12.5ml Fresh lime

Soda (top up)

Method: place the Quintessentially Vodka, rhubarb syrup and fresh lime in a tall glass, adding ice and a spritz of soda.

To finish, stir a few times before adding a wedge of lime.

What will you be doing for your mother?

Month 2 Of My Reading Challenge by Frances Colville

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Margaret Graham

I began with a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up myself, but which was the book of choice for one of my two reading groups.The Girl Under The Olive Tree by Leah Fleming (published Simon and Schuster UK 2013). It should have been a good read (interesting storyline about an English nurse working for the resistance in Crete during WW2) but there were some irritating anomalies and frequent failures to capitalise on opportunities for dramatic tension. I was left feeling dissatisfied, though I did learn some fascinating facts about Crete and WW2.

My second book also failed to grab me fully. I recently went to a talk by author Natasha Solomons and thought she spoke well and interestingly. I picked up a copy of The Gallery of Vanished Husbands(published Sceptre 2013) and keenly anticipated reading it. But I wasn’t completely convinced by her portrayal of the main character and I found the plot unrealistic in places. However, it is well written; her use of language appealed to me, as did the pace of the book, and there are some excellent descriptive passages. I think I will try another of her books. One more to add to my list.

Next I moved on to another reading group choice: The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks(published Fourth Estate 2002). This was in fact a re-read for me, but I relished the opportunity to have a fresh look at a book which has long been on my Top Ten List. It’s based on the true story of a Derbyshire village coping with an outbreak of plague in the seventeenth century and is one of those books which is almost unbearable to read, and yet equally you can hardly bear to put it down.

As an aspiring short story and flash fiction writer, I have been eagerly awaiting the chance to read Hilary Mantel’s new short story collection The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher(published Fourth Estate 2014) and I wasn’t disappointed. Each individual story is a compelling read and all are powerful, harrowing, disturbing and haunting. In fact they made me question why I read. Is it for pleasure and relaxation? To learn? To be challenged? Or to appreciate the skill of the writer? In the case of this book, I think it is the latter two. And that is a tribute to Hilary Mantel who is a supremely good writer.

After that, I needed something less stressful and turned to Claire Sandy’s novel What Would Mary Berry Do?(published Pan Books 2014) Who doesn’t love Mary Berry and the Bake Off programmes? I’m a big fan, and this lighthearted tale of a harassed mother teaching herself with Mary Berry’s help to bake appealed to me. In fact I could have done with a bit more of the baking and a bit less of the rest of the story. It isn’t a book that will stick in my mind for years to come, but it is an enjoyable and relaxing read and I definitely recommend it if that’s the sort of book you’re looking for.

It’s a truism to say variety is the spice of life, but I’m learning that my choice of books reflects just that. So now I have a problem. What to pick up first for month 3?

International Women’s Day. Inspirational Woman: Justine Durno

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Happy International Women’s Day. Men may have the other 364 days but this day is all about women and how amazing they are. One such amazing woman is Justine Durno. Justine is 25-years-old and has already accomplished a lot despite being born profoundly deaf, which left her shy, withdrawn and isolated. She was bullied at school and would hide in the cloakroom. Justine felt from an early age being a deaf female was more of an obstacle than being a deaf male. She always thought this wrong and now hopes to empower all women – particularly those who have a disability – to not let anything deter them from fulfilling their dreams. Justine always wanted to be a Doctor because she knew how difficult accessing healthcare can be for herself and other deaf people and she wanted to turn this around. She worked hard at school but, unfortunately, she missed out by one grade to follow her dream of studying medicine.

Despite three years’ worth of University rejections, she preserved undertaking courses she thought would support her University application and embarking on an incredible year of volunteering with people with a range of disabilities across the world. Justine is now in line to become one of the very few deaf GPs in this country after finally being accepted to Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Justine has faced prejudice, injustice, bullying and isolation all her life. She is finally finding the confidence to not feel embarrassed about her disability but to open and assertive about it and make sure she doesn’t miss out any more. Her career has given her this confidence – so much so, she had even taken up an evening Spanish course. She says she revels in finding herself the most unobtainable goal and then not stopping until she has achieved it.

You have achieved a lot. What is your proudest accomplishment?

It would have to be getting into medical school. I am still in disbelief that I am here, even more so that I am halfway there to getting that ‘Dr’ title!

What are your feelings on International Women’s Day?

That I am very proud to be a woman! It is a shame that International Women’s Day exists because of inequality between the genders, but it is a great tool for reminding the world that this shouldn’t be happening. It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come with stamping out sexism, and the amazing things women have achieved. This will no doubt empower the next generation of women to believe in themselves and the next generation of men to stand with us.

How does it feel that very soon you be a Doctor?

Very excited! I find medicine fascinating and I feel very fortunate that I will be able to have a job in something that will have so much variety and I will genuinely enjoy. I won’t lie, though, there is slight trepidation too. I’m going into a working environment that will demand more of me, as a deaf person, than my peers. It will get harder before I completely find my feet, and I don’t think the hardest part has come yet!

What holds women back?

It is the propagation of terribly outdated views on women over the years. Media doesn’t exactly help either – in adverts, for example, women are constantly being portrayed as scantily-clad sexual objects whilst men generally are fully dressed and powerful-looking.

What more can be done to help disabled people?

It’s about getting the right support. Deaf people can do anything others can do, given the right support. Without the right support, deaf children and adults are vulnerable to isolation, abuse, bullying, poor self-esteem and low levels of achievement. I am very fortunate to say that this hasn’t been my experience. I got the right support. I had the support of my family – a family is the most important influence on a deaf child’s ability to achieve – and I had the support of my teachers. And the support of the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS – www.ndcs.org.uk) – I made my lifelong, childhood friends through NDCS and Dumbarton Deaf Children’s Society.

Education and awareness goes a long way because the problems faced by disabled people, such as inaccessibility or negative attitudes, are down to ignorance. We also need to celebrate disabled people more, and focus on what amazing things they can do, so as to create a positive image of them. This would encourage disabled people to feel enabled, not disabled, by society.

What was your greatest obstacle?

My greatest obstacle has to be my greatest achievement – getting into medical school. It took 5 years from finishing secondary school to finally starting medical school. The first time I applied, I got a conditional place in medical school but didn’t get the A-Level grades I needed. Next time I applied, I didn’t have enough work experience, so I made sure by the 3^rd time that I had satisfied the entry requirements AND had done plenty of volunteering!

How do you get yourself past the bad times?

I am quite bad at it, but reaching out to my friends and talking to them about it is always the remedy. Quite a lot of what makes me sad or frustrated is shared especially by my deaf friends, and knowing that I am not alone provides me with a huge amount of comfort.

Tips for other women to achieve their dreams?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s not going to get handed to you on a plate – you will have to work really hard at it, and there will be highs and there will be moments when you wonder whether it’s really worth it. But if those lows are there, then it will shape you as a person, give you resilience, and the success of finally achieving your dreams will feel even sweeter!

You have said you revels in finding the most unobtainable goal and then not stopping until you have achieved it. Any tips for other women to develop the same great attitude and do the same thing?

Never lose vision of the end goal, because that is what keeps the motivation there. Equally, don’t let it take over your life at the expense of enjoying it and taking each day as it comes. If you aren’t enjoying yourself whilst striving to achieve something, then one will be so much more likely to feel overwhelmed, or bored and fed up, and just give up.

What is the next unobtainable goal?

To make healthcare much more accessible for deaf people and therefore to contribute towards taking away the health inequality that exists amongst the deaf community.

Research has shown that there is a huge health inequality amongst the deaf community, and the reason boils down to mainly the fact that communication with medical professionals is difficult, and so there is less understanding of the education and advice given by doctors.

Visiting the doctor can be hard for anyone but when you have a health concern you know the steps to take to address it – you pick up the phone to make an appointment, understandably there might be some anxiety as you wait in the surgery to hear your name called, and then of course it’s time to tell the doctor what’s worrying you and to listen to their medical advice. Talking about personal health issues can be worrying and uncomfortable no matter who you are or what your age. Imagine though if even the process of seeking medical advice is a challenge. This is the reality for many deaf people.

The main barrier that deaf people face in healthcare is lack of accessible information and communication. Many appointment systems are telephone-based meaning that deaf people rely on family or friends to make calls for them. Some professionals aren’t aware of technologies that may help deaf people.

I want to contribute to spreading deaf awareness amongst the medical profession, and to use my knowledge of BSL and deaf culture (because deaf culture is different to hearing culture!) to provide medical care and education to the deaf community in THEIR language.

But first, I have to pass my exams, perhaps that is my really my next goal!

The 2015 Revival Of 70’s Fashion… A Pussybow Too Far?

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Was it a collective prodigality that triggered Spring/Summer’s new love of showing off?

A desire for fabulous wealth?

Or is fashion’s latest switch part of a conspiracy to make us shriek “Help, I’m out of style! I need new clothes!”?

All of the above are true, but there’s also the boredom element.

Our love of candy-coloured babedom is powerful but has it run its course?

Has the Seventies secretary gone one pussycat bow too far, and as for spots – enough already!

This season embraces all things 70’s and when it comes to 70’s add-ons, accessories are the icing on the fashion cake.

They are often the most practical and desirable items from a collection and the right selection can transform an outfit, key a wardrobe together and give a nod to each fluctuating trend without following it slavishly.

And the range of covetable trimmings this season is growing all the time – once, you could never have too many hats, bags and shoes, now sunglasses, belts, corsages and luggage can be added to the ever-expanding list.

Block heels and wedges are the favourites for this season, alluring metallic in grown-up shades with strong texturizing.

Chanel brought protest-inspired items to the catwalk, theming some of its bags around the zeitgeist-y notion of feminist protest (a theme which was not treated with any sort of reverence) and others around a watercolor that Karl Lagerfeld painted.

Sunglasses featuring classic tortoiseshell, bright and funky colours, yellow and plum options, classic white and oversized.

Keep an eye out for Tommy Hilfiger’s square offerings…

So, commit to memory now … bold status prints, geometry and dazzling swirls are making a noise, prints go tech with sophisticated digital patterns, psychedelic prints create sexy curves and poptastic infusions of technicolour gorgeousness take 70’s inspired fashion for the 2015 season to a new level.

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Theatre, For The First Time, INSIDE The Ivy!

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Restoration theatre was a revolution in itself, staged anywhere that was available – from disused tennis courts to ancestral family homes. In light of this, forward thinking theatre company Go People are bringing John Vanbrugh’s The Provoked Wife to intimate venues across London; and see they have an amazing opportunity to explore a revival of this idea, making new and unusual spaces our playground in the delivery of a brilliantly alternative theatrical experience. Their current bookings include both private and public performances happening in living rooms, member’s clubs, churches and hotels and run from 10th March – 23rd March.

The spring tour sets it’s main venue (for 4 nights) in the beautiful 1733 church building of St-Giles-in-the-Fields is a perfect setting in which to view this startling exploration of Restoration morality. The play is also being perfromed in Hoxtorn Holborn Hotel and Private Member’s club Home House.

Additionally, for the first time in history, The Ivy – famous for dining the media, celebrities, actors, directors and theatre goers themselves in it’s exclusive and luxurious setting – will be providing theatre in it’s own premises with Go People’s production. Tickets are available both for the public and for Ivy Club Members and dinner and drinks can be enjoyed in the Club before or after the performance.

Go People’s snappily-cut 90 minute production distills the best of playwright Vanbrugh’s 1697 original play, foregrounding the fabulously funny narrative whilst keeping his deliciously drawn characters firing on all cylinders. Sexy, silly and sumptuous, this contemporary interpretation of a restoration classic showcases the finest of London’s upcoming professional theatrical talent.

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Venues:

10th March 7:30pm HOME HOUSE

Members only; champagne & canapés before

13th March 7:45pm THE IVY

Members and public

Booking: Email lissa@the-ivyclub.co.uk

18th March 7:30pm ST-GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS

Completely open to the public

Booking: www.wearegopeople.com

19th March 7:30pm ST-GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS

Completely open to the public

Booking: www.wearegopeople.com

20th March 7:30pm ST-GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS

Completely open to the public

Booking: www.wearegopeople.com

21st March 7:30pm ST-GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS

Completely open to the public

Booking: www.wearegopeople.com

23rd March 7:00pm HOXTON HOLBORN HOTEL

Completely open to the public; complimentary drink before

Booking: www.wearegopeople.com

Cast and Creatives:

Director – Oliver Kaderbhai

Producer – Go People

Designer – Emily-Jane Swanson

Music Composer – Alex Woolf

Lady Brute – Lucy Eaton

Lord Brute – David Bryan

Constant – Mark Donald

Heartfree – Freddie Hutchins

Belinda – Rose Riley

Lady Fanciful – Greer Dale-Foulkes

Mademoiselle – Suzie Preece

Razor – James Mack

Cornet – Amelia Clay

BBC young composer of the year 2012 Alex Woolf has written new incidental music for the piece and has also composed a number of original songs for the production’s musical moments.

Director Ollie Kaderbhai is the Artistic Director of theatre company :DELIRIUM. Credits include ‘Go to Your Grave Like a Soldier’ for the Old Vic Tunnels and ‘From Where I’m Standing’ for Pegasus Theatre. Ollie has a long-standing association with the Old Vic Theatre and has directed numerous projects on behalf the Kevin Spacey Foundation, both in the UK and internationally.

Designer Emily-Jane Swanson experience covers theatre, film and editorial. She was awarded the NSDF and Methuen Drama Emerging Artist Award for Design at Edinburgh Fringe and also runs a successful online fashion business, popular with celebrities as diverse as Caitlin Moran and Nikki Minaj.

About Go People:

Go People are a theatre company formed of three professional actors who first met at Cambridge University, aiming to bring under-appreciated or undiscovered plays – as well as talent – to the London theatre scene. They believe that theatre belongs equally to the people making it and the people who watch – and that this can happen anywhere, from a traditional theatre to a living room, church or hotel bar.

Go People make having a group of actors come to your home to perform solely for you and your guests an utterly unique reality, offering exclusive performances of plays for private parties and corporate events – the full theatre experience without having to leave the house!

The production company aim to recapture the fun and excitement, energy and surprise that private, live theatre can add to any occasion, whether you are planning a celebration for hundreds of people or an intimate soiree with close friends, Go People will work with you to create something truly magical and memorable.

Go People can tailor the event to suit your needs – you might like to select something from their extensive repertoire of modern plays and old favourites, or maybe you already have something particular in mind you would like them to adapt. And, what’s more, they can perform in any space you choose – from a spectacular garden to a cosy living room, every seat is top price quality – no more restricted views or struggling to hear every line!

http://www.wearegopeople.com

Two Thirds of Men Would Be Happy To Be a Stay-at-Home Dad

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Frostie

The times they are a changing. It is true that women and men will never be equal until men take up their share of childcare (and while we are at it, domestic chores) and it seems that that might actually be happening. A recent survey suggests that two thirds of men would be happy to be a stay-at-home dad.

Despite mums traditionally dealing with the majority of childcare, three quarters of men say they would be happy to quit work during their son or daughter’s first year so that their partner can return to their job, instead of taking the usual period of maternity leave.

And almost one in twenty men are already responsible for looking after their children whilst their wife or girlfriend goes to work.

It also emerged that 72 per cent of women would also be happy if their other half wanted to look after the children with 65 per cent worrying about the effect any time off would have on their career.

The statistics emerged in a study commissioned by national law firm Irwin Mitchell a month before a change in the law which will see couples have the opportunity to start sharing parental leave.

But these results show the new laws designed to encourage parents to share time off work following the birth of their child look set to be far more popular than government predictions had previously stated.

Irwin Mitchell employment partner Glenn Hayes said: “For a long time now, the traditional roles have seen dads returning to work just days after their baby has been born, while mums take a year or so away from their career to look after the children.

“But times are changing and it’s becoming easier, and more acceptable, for dads to take on the role of caregiver, while mums become the main breadwinner. What’s more, it seems the majority of men are happy to have it this way around.

“Thanks to changes coming into effect in April, working couples will be able to share that period of leave over the first year, meaning neither one has to miss out on such a large amount of time away – whether it’s from their career or baby.

“Shared parental leave is one of the most significant changes to flexible working rights but it is still uncertain how many families are expected to take up the new right.

“According to Government projections, as few as 5,700 men will apply over the next 12 months, but the figures in this survey suggest that the appetite for doing so could be much stronger with take up being much higher.

“So it’s important businesses and employers need to be prepared for the changes before they come into force, and know their rights as well as those of their employees.”

The study of 2,000 men and women found 66 per cent of men would be happy to take on the role of stay-at-home dad, whilst another three quarters would happily work part-time to allow their partner to return full-time.

Four in 10 say this is down to them wanting to be a bigger part of their child’s life than they would be if they worked full-time while 19 per cent worry they will miss out on too much of their child’s life otherwise.

More than a third say it’s the most sensible option for them as their wife or girlfriend earns more than them, with another 23 per cent not enjoying their job whilst their other half does.

One in twenty said taking the time off work will be less detrimental to their career than that of their partner.

Other reasons men want to take on the childcare role include it being easier for them to work around school or nursery hours than their partner, believing it would be less stressful to look after the kids than go to work and not wanting to commute anymore.

Sixty-one per cent even claimed they would be happy to become a stay-at-home dad, even if it had a detrimental effect on their career in the future.

But the researcher found that whilst most would be happy to share their decision, 23 per cent of men wouldn’t be comfortable telling their friends about their plan to be a stay-at-home dad, while 49 per cent would be worried about others judging them.

Glenn Hayes, an employment Partner at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, added: “These figures may take businesses by surprise and it is vital that they deal effectively with what is an extremely complex piece of legislation.

“It is important that employees start their conversations with their employers as early as possible in relation to shared leave, but it is vital that companies deal with the requests in the correct manner.

“Many businesses have been slow to prepare themselves for this important change and in doing so have left themselves exposed open to the risk of mishandling requests and inviting claims for discrimination.”

Shared Parental Leave rules allow those whose children are expected to be born or adopted from 5 April will be able to share up to 50 weeks of parental leave between mum and dad during the first year after a baby is born/child is adopted.

Previously, the majority of dads had two weeks paternity leave while mums could have up to 12 months maternity leave and nine months paid maternity leave.

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Mums of Young Children in Breach of EU Working Time Directive

UK’s Most Beloved Comedies

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Month 2 Of My Reading Challenge by Frances Colville

International Women’s Day. Inspirational Woman: Justine Durno

The 2015 Revival Of 70’s Fashion… A Pussybow Too Far?

Theatre, For The First Time, INSIDE The Ivy!

Two Thirds of Men Would Be Happy To Be a Stay-at-Home Dad