Fathers should be forced to take their parental leave in order to ‘level the playing field’ in the workplace.

That’s according to Irish Examiner lifestyle editor Esther McCarty who is warning that women miss out on too many promotion opportunities while on maternity leave.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Ms McCarthy said women often come back from maternity leave feeling like they are “10 years behind”.

“I’m after missing 10 promotions because I’m minding my child and because the dad isn’t, who is entitled to leave as well," she said.

"Every single one of my male colleagues hasn’t taken their parental leave.

“People say, ‘Oh aren’t you lucky to be at home’ – but if the dads had to take parental leave it would create a level playing field in work culture.”

Changing nappy on an eight-week-old baby girl. Picture by: Alamy.com. 1 September 2014

Ms McCarty said parental leave should be mandatory for fathers.

“I’m going to put my neck out there and say I do think it should be mandatory,” she said.

“I’m on parental leave at the moment and I still get: ‘Are you having a nice holiday?’

“That’s not the case, the first year is tough, you’re in the trenches and it’s not a holiday to be at home from work let me tell you.”

Paid leave for grandparents

It comes as the Swedish parliament on Monday approved a law that allows parents to transfer 45 days of their parental leave to grandparents – a figure that jumps to 90 days for single parents.

Ms McCarty said "intergenerational help" in raising a child should be supported in Ireland.

“As someone who was reared by their grandparents, I think the more we can make everyone help out with that crazy first year, the better,” she said.

“The Swedes know what they're talking about too, being the first country to introduce paid leave for fathers.

“If I had to choose between the Swedes cradle to the grave, lovely support, or the US that gives no support – give me the Swedes any day of the week.”

A grandfather hugs his granddaughter.

Ms McCarty said the Scandinavian country’s approach does not mean “throwing money” at grandparents.

“It is a transfer of the allowance that the parents already have - and the grandparents are helping anyway,” she said.

“We all see grandparents at the school gate collecting the kids and that’s not just in the first year, they provide vital support and we need so much help now as it’s hard being a parent.”

Sweden

In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days (16 months) of paid leave per child.

Compensation for 390 days is based on full income, while the remaining 90 days offer a fixed rate of 180 kronor ($17) per day.

Additionally, parents can work reduced hours until the child turns eight and government employees can extend this benefit until the child is 12.

You can listen back here:

Main image: Father working from home while child tries to play with him. Image: Anna Kraynova / Alamy Stock Photo