The study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that themost common reason why fathers do not take leave is because they simplycannot afford to.
Currently fathers are entitled to take two weeks' paid paternity leaveat 123.06 per week and 13 weeks' unpaid leave. They also have theright to request flexible working.
However, two in five men fear that asking for flexible workingarrangements may affect their job and chances of promotion, according tothe report.
Over half of fathers from a group of 4,500 parents responding to aYouGov survey and online fathers' forums supported an option to transfersix months of the mother's maternity leave to the father, to beintroduced next year. However, the research suggests that few fatherswould make use of it.
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