To mark Father’s Day 2009, employers across the country took part in the first ever Dads at Work Day (link) in a bid to encourage men in the workplace to ‘reveal the dad behind the job description’.

Seven employers including BT, British Gas and the Admiral Group wrote to The Times to call on businesses “to look at men not just as employees but also as dads”.

But what is employers’ role in helping Britain’s dads fulfil their parental role – and what should the Government be doing to support employers keen to ‘do right by dads’?

In its Working Better report published in March 2009, the Equality and Human Rights Commission proposed a dramatic shake-up of the parental leave system by 2020, including four months of dedicated ‘daddy leave’ for fathers (to be taken after an initial six months of mother-only maternity leave).

Is this the right way forward? Or is it pie-in-the-sky, especially given the current economic climate?

Make a comment here or register to receive information about our forthcoming Dads and Work survey

To mark Father’s Day 2009, US President Barack Obama wrote a really important blog post about the pressures he has faced in combining work and home life.

In it he called on dads to ’step up’, highlighting the very human dilemma that many dads face, regardless of how ‘powerful’ they are…how to play a role as provider and still carve out enough time to be actively involved with their children.

We want to know what mums and dads think of the issues he raises. Make a comment here or register to receive information about our forthcoming Dads and Work survey