32% companies renege on parental leave

A THIRD of Irish companies have not made arrangements for workers to take unpaid parental leave despite a legal requirement to do so, it emerged yesterday.

A survey of 500 business managers conducted by Deloitte in January and February of this year found 32% do not provide access to parental leave, in contradiction of legislation.

The survey shows that while 67% (74% in February 2003) of managers provide paid maternity leave, the number of employers providing paid paternity leave has remained static over the past 12 months at 30%.

Just 2% of companies provide subsidised childcare according to the survey, down from 4% a year earlier.

John McGarry, director of Human Capital Advisory Services at Deloitte said the fact that 68% of Irish companies say their organisation offers flexibility in balancing home and work life is to be welcomed.

"Put simply, it means putting in place working arrangements and policies which assist workers to combine employment with other responsibilities and choices. Such arrangements offer employers the opportunity to develop a more productive and committed workforce," he said.

The most popular option offered by managers is flexible hours up from 65% in 2002 to 82% in 2004.

"In our experience flexible work hours arrangements are organised informally between managers and their staff but companies are increasingly offering flexible hours and flexi-time on a more formal basis," said Mr McGarry.

The number of organisations offering part-time working has increased 50% in 2002 to 74% in 2004 while job sharing has increased from 34% to 39% during the same period.

Deloitte point out that these trends may be a partial reflection of the slow-down in the economy generally, as employers seek means of retaining loyal staff.

Teleworking is now an option at close to half the companies surveyed. The number of companies offering teleworking has increased from 36% in 2002 to 44% in 2004.

The survey indicates that work life balance arrangements are most often available within the technology, media, telecommunications and financial services sectors.