This is how couples share parental leave. Two years have passed since the implementation of the Work-Life Balance directive

In recent years, fathers are increasingly taking parental leave, but they still do not use the full part of them – according to the ZUS report and the Share The Care Foundation. In 2022, fathers took a leave for 98 days on average, in 2023 – 49 days, and in 2024 – 47 days.

The Share The Care Foundation and the Social Insurance Institution were published by the report “Mama and Dad at home and work”, which analyzes, among others The changes that have taken place within two years of the EU Work-Life Balance directive.

According to the report, the professional activity indicator in Poland shows that Women who do not have children work the same as men – 86 percent Versus 88 percent people working in the study group.

On the other hand With one child under 6 years, women's professional activity drops to 77 percent, while men – increases to 96 percent. With two children, including at least one under 6 years old, the women's activity rate is 73 percent, and men – remains at 96 percent. However, with three or more children with at least one small child, women's professional activity drops to 60 percent, and men – up to 93 percent.

The authors of the report emphasize that the implementation of the Work-Life Balance directive was an important step towards equalizing the opportunities of women and men on the labor market, because its guidelines help counteract the uneven division of care obligations.

“If we adapt our provisions to subsequent EU directives – regarding parities in the highest bodies of companies and transparency and equality of remuneration – we have a chance to permanently strengthen gender equality in Europe. However, without real parental equality, these changes may not bring the expected results” – emphasized in the report.

The data also show an increase in the number of fathers on parental leave from 1 percent. in 2022 to 17 percent In 2024, it was – according to the authors of the report – proof of more and more awareness of men and their activity in childcare.

“The data that we collect and analyze, show that despite the progressive legislative and cultural changes of many parents who want to combine professional and family life, still encounters barriers. The scale of challenges requires continuing system activities, education and further strengthening the role of public institutions and employers in supporting families” – indicates a member of the board of ZUS Mariusz Jedynak.

What the authors of the report pay attention to is A big difference in the amount of mother and fathers' benefits, which exceeds the pay gap. In 2024, the average daily benefit for the father on parental leave was PLN 167, and for the mother – PLN 124.

The report indicates that although the participation of fathers' leave in parental leave is systematically growing, it is still a short vacation. In 2022, fathers took a leave for 98 days on average, in 2023 – 49 days, and in 2024 – 47 days, i.e. about 7 weeks. As we read, it means that Many fathers do not even use the entire non -transferable part they are entitled (i.e. one that the mother cannot use), which is 9 weeks.

Longer holidays are still the domain of mothers. The average length of their parental leave increased from 141 days in 2023 to 153 days in 2024.

ZUS data shows that 79 percent Days of absence to take care of a sick child are used by women. “The involvement of fathers in care is gradually growing, but it is still relatively small, especially when it comes to taking care of older children” – emphasize the authors of the report. (PAP)

KKR/ AGZ/