Retail Leads on Paternity Leave as Government Urged to Improve 2026

Retail giants Marks & Spencer and Tesco are leading the way on paternity leave, offering six weeks at full pay to new fathers, according to new research. This far exceeds the statutory minimum of two weeks and highlights a growing gap between family-friendly policies in retail and those in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Retailers Set New Standard for Paternity Leave

Marks & Spencer and Tesco both offer six weeks of fully paid paternity leave, placing them among the most generous FTSE 100 companies. The research, compiled by campaign group The Dad Shift and Ian Dinwiddy of Inspiring Dads, shows that other retailers such as Asda, Waitrose, and Lidl have also enhanced their policies in recent years.

Privately owned companies Ikea, Lego, and Virgin Media O2 now offer more weeks of fully paid leave as well. According to the figures, just five employers are responsible for upgrading parental leave for nearly 650,000 workers, demonstrating the outsized impact of a few key players.

Why Retail Is Leading the Charge

The retail sector's move towards more generous paternity leave may be driven by competition for talent and a desire to support employee well-being. Joe Erskine, a Marks & Spencer employee, shared his experience: “Being able to take six weeks’ paid paternity leave, flexibly, made a huge difference to me and my family, giving me the time to support my partner and settle into being a new parent.”

His testimony underscores the tangible benefits of such policies for families. As retailers raise the bar, they set an example for other industries and increase pressure on the government to improve statutory entitlements.

The Gap Between Retail and Other Sectors

While retail makes strides, sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture lag behind. The statutory minimum of two weeks at £184.03 per week (or 90% of average earnings, whichever is lower) remains the norm for many workers. This disparity creates an uneven playing field for new parents across the country.

The research highlights a widening gap between the family-friendly policies offered to new fathers in retail compared with those in other industries. This could have implications for talent attraction and retention, as workers may gravitate towards employers with better parental benefits.

Government Under Pressure to Act

The enhanced paternity leave offered by retailers adds to the growing calls for the government to improve the statutory offer. Campaigners argue that the current two-week minimum is inadequate and that better pay and flexibility would benefit families and the economy.

As more companies voluntarily upgrade their policies, the government may face increasing pressure to follow suit. The research from The Dad Shift and Inspiring Dads provides ammunition for those advocating for change.

Key Takeaways

• Marks & Spencer and Tesco offer six weeks of fully paid paternity leave, far above the statutory two-week minimum.
• Other retailers like Asda, Waitrose, and Lidl have also enhanced their paternity leave policies.
• Just five employers have upgraded parental leave for nearly 650,000 workers.
• A widening gap exists between family-friendly policies in retail and those in construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• Campaigners are urging the government to improve the statutory paternity leave offer.

Comparison of Paternity Leave Policies

What This Means for Employers and Employees

The move by retailers to enhance paternity leave could prompt other sectors to review their policies. For employees, it signals that some employers are willing to invest in family-friendly benefits, which may influence job choices.

For employers, offering competitive paternity leave can be a differentiator in a tight labour market. However, smaller businesses may struggle to match these offerings without government support.

FAQ

As the debate over paternity leave intensifies, the actions of retailers like Marks & Spencer and Tesco serve as a catalyst for change. The government may soon face mounting calls to ensure all new fathers have access to adequate leave, regardless of their sector.

For those following the broader business landscape, the Beaverbrooks boss urges government to give businesses a break story highlights how industry leaders are increasingly vocal about government support. Similarly, the police paternity leave doubles to support new fathers development shows that change is happening in other public sectors too.

The conversation around paternity leave is also gaining political traction, with Alan Johnson calling for better pay and pressure mounting on Burnham to boost statutory paternity leave. These voices add weight to the argument that the UK's current system is outdated.

Meanwhile, the police paternity leave doubling to two weeks after backlash demonstrates how public pressure can lead to swift policy changes. The retail sector's voluntary improvements may inspire similar shifts across other industries.

As the professor complains about non-availability of university director who was on paternity leave, it's clear that paternity leave remains a topic of active discussion in workplaces and beyond. The actions of leading retailers will continue to shape this debate.