Paternity leave – a relatively new addition to Bermuda’s employment laws – gives fathers the chance to make a true impact on their family’s development.
Dr Ernest Peets Jr, a specialist in marriage and family therapy, urged men to take advantage of it.
“Paternity leave is important because it allows fathers to establish an early bond with their child during a critical period of development,” Dr Peets told RG Best Health.
“Research consistently shows that fathers who are actively involved from birth are more likely to remain engaged throughout their child’s life.
“Paternity leave also gives fathers time to support their partner’s physical and emotional recovery following childbirth, helping to strengthen the family unit during a major life transition.”
Dr Peets said paternity leave can also reduce stress and anxiety by allowing fathers to adjust to their new role without the immediate pressure of returning to work.
He added: “It sends an important message that fatherhood is valued and that caregiving is not solely the responsibility of mothers.”
Fathers in Bermuda are allowed five consecutive days paid paternity leave, provided they have worked for an employer for at least 12 continuous months, thanks to amendments to the Employment Act which were approved in 2019.
In each case, the time must be taken within 14 weeks of a child’s birth.
The 2019 amendments also increased a mother’s paid maternity leave to 13 weeks paid, up from eight weeks paid and four weeks unpaid. Similar conditions apply.
Develop confidence
Dr Peets is co-founder and therapist at MASC Bermuda Ltd, which provides counselling and mentorship for men by a team of qualified male therapists, from offices on Reid Street in Hamilton.
By offering “counselling for men by men”, MASC is the only practice of its kind in Bermuda with a male-centred focus.
Dr Peets said that many of the fathers he works with do not specifically seek counselling regarding paternity leave.
But he said: “I have observed that fathers who have the opportunity to spend meaningful time at home following the birth of a child often report feeling more connected to both their child and partner.
“They tend to develop greater confidence in parenting skills and experience less anxiety about their role as a father.
“Families also benefit when fathers are actively involved from the beginning. Mothers often report feeling more supported, which can reduce stress and improve overall family functioning. The early weeks following a birth can be challenging, and having both parents present often leads to a healthier adjustment for everyone involved.”
Dr Peets said the most important thing a father can do during paternity leave is to be fully present.
“Paternity leave should not be viewed as a vacation but as an opportunity to participate in caregiving and family bonding.”
He said some practical ways to maximise the benefit include:
- Spending uninterrupted time bonding with the baby through feeding, bathing, reading and skin-to-skin contact.
- Supporting the mother’s recovery by sharing household and childcare responsibilities.
- Establishing routines and learning parenting skills together as a family.
“The goal is to create a strong foundation for family life rather than simply helping for a few days.”
A good start
Dr Peets said that the statutory grant of five days’ paternity leave “is a positive starting point”.
However, he added: “It is unlikely to provide sufficient time for fathers to fully adjust to the demands of a new child or to provide meaningful support to their partner.
“The first few weeks following birth are often when families need the most support. Extending paternity leave would provide fathers with greater opportunity to bond with their child, contribute to caregiving responsibilities, and support maternal wellbeing.
“It would also better reflect our growing understanding that fathers play an important role in child development and family health.”
Private companies, of course, are free to grant benefits to their employees that exceed the statutory minimum. Hamilton Insurance Group, for example, offers a programme of enhanced parental leave, with 20 weeks’ full-time pay for maternity leave and six weeks for paternity leave.
Dr Peets said: “A programme that provides several weeks or months of leave creates opportunities that are difficult to achieve within a five-day period.
“For fathers, extended leave allows time to develop confidence and competence as caregivers. It reduces the pressure to immediately return to work and can improve overall wellbeing during a major life transition.”
However, he cautioned: “While programmes such as Hamilton Insurance Group’s demonstrate what is possible when organisations make a significant investment in employee wellbeing, it may not be practical or feasible to require all employers to provide leave at that level. Bermuda’s business community includes many small and medium-sized employers that face different operational and financial realities.
“Ultimately, programmes of this nature recognise that strong families are built through time, presence and meaningful involvement, not simply financial support alone.”
