Bosses 'may have to pay out more' for maternity leave
18-09-2007
Employers could be forced to double their costs in benefits for maternity leave if the government approves new legislation.
As reported by the Personnel Today website, government amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 would grant mothers the same rights in their second six months of maternity leave as they receive in the first six months.
The changes follow pressure from the Equal Opportunities Commission against the government in the High Court, whose decision demanded that the government amend legislation to insure women receive full benefits for the whole of their maternity leave, the article reports.
Speaking to the magazine, Reed Smith employment lawyer Ruth Bonino said: "It is likely to mean employees choosing an additional six months of maternity leave will have the same contractual benefit rights as they did in the first six months."
As a result, employers could have to pay out remunerations such as holiday pay, company car allowances and medical insurance for the full twelve months, doubling the cost in many cases, it is reported.
A recent survey by WorkingMums.co.uk found that 83 per cent of mothers couldn't find work that made use of their skills because many employers are not offering sufficiently flexible working hours that cater for their needs.
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