British fathers fear asking to work flexibly will damage their careers, according to a new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The report found that 40% of fathers say they spend too little time with their children.

The report also shows that 45% of men fail to take two weeks’ paternity leave, while two in five say that asking for flexible working arrangements would result in their commitment to their job being questioned and would hinder their chances of a promotion.

Andrea Murray, acting group director strategy from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, says: “It is clear that today’s families require a modern approach to balancing work and childcare commitments. Fathers are telling us they are not spending enough time with their families and want to take a more active role in shaping the lives of their children.

“Two-thirds of fathers see flexible working as an important benefit when looking for a new job. This highlights an opportunity for British businesses to use flexible working as an incentive for attracting and retaining the most talented of employees. Some companies which have adopted forward thinking policies towards families are reporting increased productivity, reduction in staff turnover, reduced training costs and an ability to respond better to customer requirements.”