Paternity leave very popular, but not yet successful

Press release
The WIEG or supplementary parental leave for partners (paternity leave), has been warmly welcomed since its introduction on July 1, 2020. Recent research by the magazine WIJ and Voor Werkende Ouders (For Working Parents) shows that 87% of young parents are aware of the leave program, and 75% have actually taken it. A sticking point, especially for parents with low levels of education, remains the compensation of only 70% of their salary. As a result, some couples choose not to take the leave at all, or only to take part of it in full, and it misses the desired impact on the division of work and care between partners and more time for fatherhood.

Paternity leave celebrates its first anniversary
Supplementary parental leave, commonly known as paternity leave or partner leave was introduced a year ago. Partners can take up to 5 weeks of supplementary parental leave at 70% of their salary since July 1, 2020. A novelty in the Netherlands, which has a relatively limited leave system compared to other Western countries. The introduction of the WIEG (Wieg) is intended to lead to stronger bonding and more care between partner and child, a more balanced division of work and care responsibilities, and increased labour participation among women. Research by the magazine WIJ and Voor Werkende Ouders (For Working Parents) shows that parents are enthusiastic about the leave, but that they need more time and money to make it truly successful.

Growing into a Father’s Role
The research shows that parents endorse the goals of paternity leave. Parents take the leave because it allows more time to create a new foundation as a family (78%), allows the partner to build a stronger bond with the baby (69%), and allows both partners to share caregiving responsibilities more effectively (55%). Another important goal, solo care, where the partner cares for the baby alone, is not popular. A key reason for this is that over 45% indicate they want to take the leave immediately after the birth to spend those first few weeks together. Mariska van der Kogel, editor-in-chief of WIJ: “Over half of mothers indicate that recovering from childbirth is also a key reason for taking the leave immediately after the birth. This isn’t surprising, especially for couples expecting their first child. Everything is new to them, and it’s naturally much more pleasant to explore things together in that initial phase.” Parents also indicate that they wanted to spread out the leave, for example, to spread the impact on their income or because their employer required it.

More time & money
The 70% compensation is the most difficult issue for many young families. 56% say it’s a reason not to take partner leave at all. Furthermore, 38% indicate that the current leave arrangements for fathers and mothers don’t make it easier to divide work and care. Over 65% believe the leave arrangements should be longer, and 48% believe they should be fully compensated. Over 60% believe the compensation should be at least 80%. Nearly 85% are in favour of more generous leave and more pay, as in Sweden, with 55% saying they would be very pleased. Marjet Winsemius from Voor Werkende Ouders: “This research once again shows that working fathers also want to care, and caring mothers also want to work. As far as parents are concerned, it’s up to employers and the government to facilitate this desire with more generous leave, both in terms of time and money.”

The survey
The survey was conducted among expectant parents and parents with a child up to and including 12 months old. 505 parents completed the questionnaire. The respondents were drawn from the WIJ database. Especially for the survey, WIJ and Voor Werkende Ouders (For Working Parents) went out on the streets to ask parents what they thought of Dutch leave regulations.

Tips for parents

We’d also like to offer parents some tips:

1. Check www.eh-bg.nl for all kinds of information about paternity leave. From discussion cards on how to have the conversation with your employer to a leave planner.
2. The Dutch government has compiled a list of all leave regulations.
3. Check out our interviews with parents like Karin or Enes.