In Ireland, both fathers and mothers are entitled to take 18 weeks of parental leave, per child, before the child turns eight. Stock Image

More than half of employees working in specialist and technical roles believe new fathers do not take their full entitlement to parental leave.

Research, published by recruiting group Hays, showed 28pc of those said this was because new fathers believed they may be viewed as less committed to their career if they take their entitlement.

The workplace gender diversity report showed 38pc thought fathers did not take parental leave because it would have an adverse affect on their finances.

In Ireland, both fathers and mothers are entitled to take 18 weeks of parental leave, per child, before the child turns eight.

The report also sheds light on perceptions of gender equality, with 17pc of women believing there was equality of pay between genders. Some 59pc of men believed their female colleagues were paid and rewarded in an equal manner.

Some 30pc of men and 20pc of women were completely unaware if their organisation had a diversity programme, while some 57pc of respondents believed there was some form of gender equality or equal opportunity imbalance in their workplace.

The survey involved 250 men and women working in specialist and technical roles across Ireland.

Irish Independent