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Published: 26 Jun 2025

Royal Air Force – Winner 2025, Best for Fathers

The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) support of fathers is an integral part of their work to cultivate a positive, inclusive culture so that becoming a parent does not limit their career and their people feel valued whilst working in demanding and pressurised environments.  

Progressive policies  

Fathers are given paid time-off to attend ante-natal appointments. After completing the statutory qualification period, fathers are entitled to take paternity leave of two weeks’ full pay which can be taken at any time during the baby’s first year. The Equal Parenting Policy allows an impressive 26 weeks of fully paid leave to be taken at any time within the first 52 weeks from birth or adoption for all parents, regardless of gender. Opportunities to work flexibly, including restricted separation from home, job share and career intermission, are promoted at key stages of the parenthood journey and through active marketing to all employees. For fathers whose partner experienced a complex birth, an additional four weeks of compassionate leave, together with a variety of flexible working options, are available. Transparency is a priority, with parental policies made visible on the RAF website to signal to staff and potential employees that the organisation is supportive of parents.  

A culture of support 

Training on supporting fathers is mandatory for all levels of management, and tools are provided to line managers to facilitate conversations about the resources available. Free parental coaching is available for preparing fathers for both the transition into parenting and back to work if they have taken more than six weeks’ leave. Parenting networks provide a source of peer support and signposting. In recognition of the exceptional work commitment, there are many measures in place to support families such as 20 hours funding per week for wrap-around care, an education allowance for boarders, funded relationship counselling and breaks for families experiencing extended separation due to work, and access to a specialist mental health service. The network for men, ‘Wingman’, has partnered with Samaritans to remove the stigma around men’s mental health and provide a safe space to share. Sites have introduced ‘Saturdads’ events to encourage dads to become part of a community and make supportive connections.  

Looking ahead 

In the past year alone, 120 fathers have taken up shared parental leave, an increase of 4.6%, and an increase of 44% of employees taking up alternative working arrangements. Having sought feedback and reviewed existing policies, there are plans to increase paternity leave to four weeks and make it a day one right, introduce a paternity bereavement policy and create webinars to raise awareness of the policies available.