The move was backed unanimously at a meeting of the council’s Finance and Economy Committee earlier today (Thursday) and will see council workers eligible to take the leave in the first year of their child’s birth or adoption.
Committee convenor, Councillor Margaret Brisley, said: “I’m proud that Stirling Council is once again leading the way. We did it with the Living Wage and this is another example of looking after our staff and putting them first.
“Research has shown that the benefits to both parents and children of having the father involved at the early stages following birth are overwhelming.
“It allows fathers to spend valuable time with their child and support the mother at this time and we are happy to do whatever we can to help fathers be involved.”
Prior to the announcement, new fathers or partners at the time of the birth or adoption of a baby could take one-week fully paid maternity support leave and one week of paternity leave, which was paid at the statutory paternity rate of £145.18.
The new changes will increase leave to four weeks full pay for around 24 employees annually, based on figures from last year.
The estimated costs of meeting the changes is £36,454 based on average weeks’ pay for employees.
A report put before councillors today, proposing the changes, revealed various international studies have found a link between:
• longer paternity leave and greater involvement of fathers in the early lives of their children
• greater maternal well-being and reduced incidence of postnatal depression in both mother and father
• better outcomes for children, including better peer relationships, literacy and fewer behavioural problems
• increased sharing of household work and a strong link between taking paternity leave and breastfeeding
Speaking after the decision, vice convenor, Councillor Alison Laurie said: “Stirling Council has a reputation as an employer that fights for worker’s rights.
“We secured status as a Living Wage employer and now we’re pushing forward with these progressive plans to increase paternity leave to a level above the statutory entitlement.
“It was pleasing to see this motion passed unanimously, and cements our pledge to continue to evaluate and improve the way our staff are treated.”