The insurance sector needs to challenge social expectations which dictate that men are less likely to take-up paternity leave or take responsibility for the school run.
This is according to Penny James, CEO of Direct Line Group, (pictured) who was speaking at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) Diversity Equity and Inclusion Summit earlier this week.
James told the audience that the sector needs to change the social expectations of working parents.
She added that the reality of being a CEO and a parent is “nigh on impossible” as you are performing two wholly different jobs which requires the outsourcing of chunks of both roles.
“When I’ve mentored women along the way, my first question is usually, what’s the contract at home? And most people can’t answer this question,” James said.
“Part of our role is to make it brilliantly acceptable for guys to take paternity leave or make school runs. It doesn’t matter which particular form of flexibility this involves, the point is it’s okay.
“So, our CFO is always late for the board because he does the morning school run – that’s the deal. It’s not a big give in the scheme of parental care – it’s a small thing – but it’s still a thing.”