Business Opposes Extended Maternity Leave

New research from law firm Browne Jacobson today reveals that 82% of UK businesses oppose the proposed extension of paid maternity leave.

Furthermore, three quarters of company directors (75%) believe that the proposed extension of paid maternity leave will discourage employers from hiring women ìof child-bearing ageî ñ in clear breach of sex discrimination legislation. According to government statistics, women ìof childbearing ageî account for around 10 million employees, or one third of the UKís workforce.

The research, contained in Browne Jacobsonís new Sleepless Report, is based on a survey of more than 220 company directors across the UK. When asked for their views on the Governmentís proposals to extend paid maternity leave:

More than four fifths of employers (82%) expressed opposition to the proposed new arrangements

41% stated that the proposed legislation is yet another burden UK business can ill afford

34% would support the measure if the Government paid the additional benefits

7% would support the measure if the Government handled the administration

Less than one fifth (18%) expressed unqualified support

Peter Jones, employment partner at Browne Jacobson, said: ìThe clear message from our research is that company directors do not support an extension of paid maternity leave.

ìHowever, employers risk breaching not only sex discrimination law, but also forthcoming age discrimination legislation, if they seek to exclude potential mothers from the workforce.

ìEmployers must have in place clear procedures to ensure that recruitment choices are appropriate, fair and legally sound. Discriminatory employment decisions run the risk of potentially costly employment tribunals and compensation awards.î