Is Fatherhood Becoming More Visible at Work? Trends in Corporate Support for Fathers Taking Parental Leave in Sweden

Abstract

Swedish legislation grants fathers paid parental leave, but mothers still take the majority of leave days available. Workplace opposition is often cited for why men don’t take more leave. This study analyzes trends in company support for fathers taking parental leave and explores possible correlates of corporate support. Over time, companies have become more supportive of fathers leavetaking, partly attributed to women’s increased share of top management positions. However, the majority of companies are still unsupportive. Moreover, a class bias in support found to some extent in 1993 was more in evidence in 2006, with companies reporting that white-collar fathers receive more formal support from the company and more informal support from co-workers and managers than blue-collar fathers receive.