Lockdown Dads

Dr Laura Radcliffe - Focusing on Dads at Work

October 27, 2020 James Millar & Ian Dinwiddy Season 1 Episode 22
Lockdown Dads
Dr Laura Radcliffe - Focusing on Dads at Work
Show Notes

This week’s guest is Dr Laura Radcliffe, Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the University of Liverpool Management School. 

We explore why a focus on dads in the workplace is of vital importance and how society needs to see the bigger picture – gender equality is good for everyone’s well-being and relationships. 

We discuss the type of messaging for mums that Laura can say, but James, Ian and David Lammy really can’t. Plus, we bust the myth that mums are more skilled...

Contents

04:30 Manchester v the Government
06:30 Empathy
08:00 Laura’s path, from psychology grad via bad working practices to investigating work / family conflict within couples.
09:30 Data on Dads was just time use, nothing deeper.
11:00 Diaries into Work / family conflict 
* What happens when Men work flexibly, and women don’t and vice-versa
13:00 Aiming policies at women that exacerbate inequality
14:00 Living her research – permanent work / family conflict
15:30 Maternal gatekeeping – Dads need to persevere to keep carving out their own space in family life.
18:30 Mothering norms – competitive parenting, judgement and being the home manager.
21:00 Why it is important to break maternal gatekeeping
* Better relationships between couples
* Better relationships between Dads and children 
* Reduce the dual burden of home and work

22:30 Broadening the research interests
* Men is same sex couples are more equal – starting from a level playing field.
24:00 Solo dads concealing a new partner from work
26:00 James’ tip -  if you are missing the transition that the commute provides listen to a podcast!
30:00 A bumper set of tips from Laura
* Tip 1 Dads be brave, vocal, and daredevil – don’t hide your responsibilities.
* Tip 2 Line managers – show leadership and be vocal and supportive to dads. 
* Tip 3 Mums hold your tongue a little bit!
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Dr Laura Radcliffe
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/management/staff/laura-radcliffe/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lradcliffe/
https://www.bitc.org.uk/report/equal-lives-parenthood-and-caring-in-the-workplace/
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About Lockdown Dads

James Millar and Ian Dinwiddy are recording a weekly ‘show’ exploring the impact of lockdown, self-isolation and social distancing on working dads. We’ll share tips, thoughts and stories with special guests, discuss our hopes for the future and the opportunities that all this represents, especially for dads who want to be more active and involved fathers but who until now have struggled with the expectations of what it means to be a man in the workplace.

We hope you enjoy watching and listening!

To get in touch, submit your tips and learn about us click here:

https://www.inspiringdads.co.uk/lockdown-dads