Browsing by Author "Fechtig, Simon Wolfgang"
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- Leading by example on parental leave? : how DEI policies interact with male managers’ fatherhoodPublication . Fechtig, Simon Wolfgang; Fioravante, RosaThe unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities significantly contributes to lasting career cuts for women. In response, expanding paternal leave is highlighted as a key lever for gender equality. While new legal regulations promote fathers' leave uptake, a DEI-supported paradigma shift in workplace culture is also required, with men in leadership role modeling normative change towards involved fathering. This study examines how male managers in Germany reconcile their parental leave decisions with professional realities and analyzes how company DEI initiatives can support this process. Based on qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten male managers regarding their parental leave experiences and analyzed using the Gioia method to identify individual, cultural, and organizational decision-making factors. Findings indicate that leave uptake has been integrated into a new male manager identity, shifting organizational norms towards shared parenting. However, this normalization remains limited to short-term uptakes, reflecting concerns over career security and financial constraints. Supportive corporate DEI measures, including flexible leave policies and workload management, were found to reduce barriers. Contrary to previous research emphasizing stigma and career setbacks, participants reported positive organizational support but identified clear limits to the acceptance of longer leave durations. This divergence suggests that persisting traditional workplace norms are being challenged during this transitional period of cultural change. Managerial implications include implementing financial incentives, such as bonuses or sabbatical-like salary models, and proactively communicating career guarantees concerning paternal leave. These DEI measures should be integral to a comprehensive, family-friendly corporate culture aimed at promoting gender equality in the workplace.