Forties People

City of London workers in office jobs who are expecting a new addition to their family are still not clear on their rights regarding paternity leave.

A survey carried out by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Bis) found that 62 per cent of people questioned feel a dad's relationship with their newborn will suffer unless they are offered a flexible working agreement by their employer.

More than half of fathers with children aged 16 and under said they would be keen to look for an employer who offers flexible working when they are looking to move into a new job.

But despite these clear opinions on the importance of spending time with a new family member, Bis also noted that some are in the dark over the rights in place to help them.

And the Fatherhood Institute said that expecting fathers should take it upon themselves to research their options regarding taking leave from their office jobs.

"If you are a man and you are expecting your first child, it is [up] to you to go and find out what is available," said the organisation's chief executive Rob Williams.