As the UK and the rest of the world basks in royal baby fever at the arrival of Prince Louis, you may find yourself wondering what goes on behind the scenes at Kensington Palace.
It’s hard to imagine the Duke and Duchess, who always appear so well-dressed and put together, wiping baby sick off an Alexander McQueen dress or dealing with explosive nappies.
But at least they’re both able to take time off and look after the newest addition to the royal family, which for most new parents is unlikely.
Senior managers in HR departments are only now starting to find themselves dealing with requests for shared parental leave after it was introduced in 2016, which means both mothers and fathers have more flexibility in that first year after birth.
They are allowed to split 50 weeks of maternity leave, with 37 of those paid.
Last year it was said only around 2% of eligible employees took advantage of the scheme. It turns out some men don’t want to take more than two weeks of paternity leave because looking after a newborn isn’t always baby bliss.
Men also revealed they don’t want to risk dropping behind in their career, as well as losing out on quite a bit of money.
By taking maternity leave, women also face a potential backlash in their career.
This is why shared parental leave aims to even out the gender imbalance.
Other countries have it sorted already. Sweden pays paternity leave at three times the rate of the UK, and Germany provides a two-month bonus for new fathers who take time off.
If you’re looking for an executive role, it’s important to recognise – and promote – the many benefits of shared parental leave.
Research into developmental psychology has shown the amount of time children spend with their fathers improves their cognitive abilities.
It also means both parents aren’t left completely exhausted at the end of the day.
Mothers can return to work earlier, meaning they don’t lose out on any career progression.
And since junior has spent time with both mum and dad, it’s easier for them to go into childcare having become content and at ease with more than just mother.
Finally, for all the sleepless nights and vomit-covered babygrows, having both parents there for those first precious memories is worth it.
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