Each year around Father’s Day, CareerBuilder publishes a “Working Dads” survey, asking working fathers everywhere if they would give up their traditional “breadwinner” roles to spend more time with their families and children. Usually, the results show that most dads would definitely give up their jobs for the opportunity for more family time, but today’s tough financial market seems to make it a harder for choice than in past years.

Thirty-one percent of working dads said they would leave their jobs if their spouse or significant other’s income could comfortably support the entire family. That number is down from 37 percent in 2008 and 49 percent in 2005.

Although not a very high percentage would be willing to leave their jobs completely, even in this economy, 30 percent of dads said they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their kids. Forty percent would consider a pay cut of 10 percent or more.

Today’s economy is also causing parents to work harder, longer and more often than they’re used to. Thirty-nine percent of working dads say they spend less than two hours per day with their kids during the workweek and 14 percent are only able to spend an hour or less with them. Additionally, more dads have to bring work home with them after they leave the office: 31 percent bring work home at least once per week, up 25 percent last year. Fifty percent of working dads say they have missed a significant event in their child’s life in the last year due to work and 28 percent have missed more than three.

“Many working dads have to contend with heavier workloads and longer hours as businesses struggle to do more with less,” said Jason Ferrara, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder and father of two. “It’s important to have a conversation with your supervisor. Employers are placing more emphasis on work/life balance through creative benefits that encourage employees to better manage their personal and professional commitments. However, nearly half of working dads do not take advantage of any flexible work arrangements offered to them.”

Here are five tips to keep in mind for dads looking to gain a health work/life balance:

  • Communicate – Keep an open dialogue with your spouse and children. Remember that communication is a two-way street. Talk about what is going on in your office, so your family understands why you are away or have to do some work when you are home.
  • Work off of a master family calendar. Add every family member’s schedule to one master calendar so there are no surprises. Also, save vacation days for important events and talk to your supervisor about flexible work arrangements.
  • Your homework can wait. Put down your Blackberry and avoid checking e-mails until after your children have gone to sleep.
  • Plan ahead. You plan out your work day/week, so why not plan some additional time with your kids? Add events to your calendar such as taking a bike ride, going to the park or even doing a project with them around the house.
  • Plan a family event in your office. Take advantage of the summer months when school is out and the office may be less hectic by scheduling a kid-friendly potluck or other event with co-workers and their families.

What about you other working dads out there? Would you sacrifice your job or salary to spend more time with your children?