The paternity leave – or the second parent – of 28 days, including one mandatory week, comes into force from Thursday 1is July, a long-awaited societal reform that aims to allow fathers to invest more in parenthood and household life.
Announced in September by Emmanuel Macron and voted in the budget of the Social Security, this reform doubles the duration of leave for the father – or the second parent – of an unborn or adopted child, to 25 days plus 3 days of birth against 11 plus 3 currently.
In the case of a multiple birth, seven days of leave are added, ie 32 compared to 18 currently.
Read also : Paternity leave: what is known about the 28-day extension, of which 7 are compulsory
The three days of birth leave payable by the employer
Compensation level: the three days of birth leave remain the responsibility of the employer, and the remaining days will be compensated by Social Security.
Optional, paternity leave is currently taken by around seven out of ten fathers, a figure that has changed little since its inception in 2002 and conceals strong social inequalities: 80% of employees on permanent contracts use it, against less than 60% on fixed-term contracts. .
Changes could also take place at the start of the school year, at the end of a mission on the reconciliation of professional and family time, led since March by Christel Heydemann, of Schneider Electric France, and the sociologist Julien Damon.
Read also : Parental leave allowance could be increased
“Encourage more fathers to take” the leave
In addition to the question of the envy of fathers for taking this leave, “There are still many psychological brakes, particularly vis-à-vis the company”, estimates the psychotherapist Isabelle Filliozat, vice-president of the “Commission of the first 1000 days” which had recommended to the government to increase this leave to nine weeks.
According to her, this reform should “Encourage more fathers to take it” car “The compulsory week can help them in their negotiations with their boss”.
Read also : Parental leave: France lagging behind, according to a UNICEF report
When it comes to parenthood, a lot is played out from the first days. “It’s not a question of role or sex”, insists Isabelle Filliozat. “If we are with a child on a daily basis, we become more sensitive, attentive and we develop their parenting skills. “
Or, “Fathers do not have enough opportunities to have time with their toddlers, they weave less attachment, feel a little less concerned and may tend to leave parenting tasks to the mother, which generates many conflicts ”, she analyzes.
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