Fathers cannot afford to take time off, the survey suggests

Under current rules, fathers are entitled to two weeks paid leave following the birth of their child.

Those claiming the right get �102.80 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings if this is less, for two weeks.

However, nearly half of fathers quizzed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said that this level of paternity pay was too low.

Flexible working

By comparison, women are entitled to at least six weeks at 90% of their average salary, then 20 weeks at �102.80, according to the Maternity Alliance, a charity providing advice and information.

Fathers tell us they can't afford to spend time with their newborn children at current rates of paternity pay Duncan Brown, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Four out of five of those interviewed said that they would take up their paternity entitlement if Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) increased to 90% of full pay. At full pay the figure increased to 87% of fathers.

HAVE YOUR SAY Until the state values fatherhood equal to motherhood, this issue is rather pointless. Martina, London Send us your comments

"Flexible employment policies are becoming embedded in the UK world of work," said Duncan Brown, CIPD assistant director.

"But fathers tell us they can't afford to spend time with their newborn children at current rates of paternity pay."

Almost a quarter of the 1,000 workers questioned by CIPD had requested some form of flexible working arrangement.