Harald Breiding-Buss is General Manager of the Father & Child Trust, New Zealand’s largest and longest-running non-profit with a specific father-focus.
Research has showns that becoming a father, especially for the first time, is a profound change that causes men to think about their goals in life, their work/family balance and even about how they see themselves. It is also a change that often puts the relationship to the test, and not always with good results.
Companies‘ approach to their male staff having a new baby is generally limited to some time off and maybe showing some tolerance for overtired employees. The deeper issues that make fathers comfortable with a workplace in the long run are often not understood.
Father & Child can offer training for management and HR staff to understand especially new fathers better, and how to create an environment that doesn’t put fatherhood and paid work into conflict. We can also offer assistance for your staff through workplace-based parenting courses, talks, or even individual assistance through a crisis.
Community services for families tend to be focused on the mother and sometimes provide some add-on for fathers. Father & Child can offer training for staff and management on how to integrate fathers into your services as joint partners in childraising with the mothers.