Stephen McCarthy
CFO, Aviva Insurance Ireland
Stephen Mc Carthy, CFO, Aviva Insurance Ireland, has personal experience with paternity leave. He believes it strengthens the family bond while advancing gender equity at work.
When did you take paternity leave?
I took a few months off over the summer to spend time with the new arrival in our family, our daughter Caragh. It was easy to arrange and everyone in Aviva was supportive. I was always fearful that my career aspirations and desire to be a good dad would one day clash, and it is great to work for an organisation where you can have both.
What did it mean for you and your family?
In a child’s early months, there are a lot of ‘firsts’ and it was brilliant to have the time off to be there for those important moments. I really enjoyed becoming part of the ‘daytime squad’ with our baby Caragh, my partner Emma and our dog Nala.
Is taking paternity leave an act of male allyship?
I believe it is, and as a senior member of the management team, I wanted to set the tone from the top and lead by example. Paternity leave supports the advancement of gender equity in the workplace and encourages broader societal changes regarding caregiving and family dynamics. It recognises that taking time off for family is important and acceptable.
Paternity leave supports
the advancement of gender
equity in the workplace.
Can it reduce the stigma women face for taking family leave?
Absolutely; creating an expectation that both parents will take time off to care for their newborn helps to distribute the responsibility of childcare more evenly. As a result, women are less likely to be penalised or overlooked for promotions and opportunities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.
How can returning employees have a smooth transition back into work?
I stayed connected with colleagues throughout my paternity leave, which I found quite helpful. Of course, there’s no pressure to do this, but I felt it helped me stay connected which made it easier to come back.
How would you sum up the benefits of paternity leave?
It fosters a more inclusive work culture, helps companies attract and retain talent and breaks down social and gender norms. It also improves employee engagement. If you give parents the chance to fully focus on family life during this special time, they return to work with greater clarity and increased productivity.
Where feasible, companies should consider the long-term benefits to both employees and the business of having equal paternity and maternity leave policies.
