Maternity pay 'too low in the UK'

Many people in the UK think that the statutory minimum maternity pay given to women is too low, results of a new survey have shown.

According to research conducted by Incomes Data Services, 52 per cent of respondents think women should receive more when they have a child, Workplace Law Network reports.

This is despite the fact that three-quarters of employers are providing more than the statutory minimum requirement, the poll found.

This news comes as reports are emerging that the government may be delaying plans to extend the amount of maternity pay received by employees.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, did not welcome this news, saying: Increasing maternity pay would not be a huge extra cost to business and would help companies recruit and retain highly skilled female employees.

One Parent Families/Gingerbread recently claimed that many single parents struggle to find work because employers do not offer the option of flexible working hours.

According to ClickAJob Marketing Manager Anders Jensen, employers who neglect the issue of working mothers do so at their peril.

It's a no-brainer really, he says.

Before they take leave to become Mums, they're skilled and valued employees all contributing to company success. So what changes?

Even at home or working part time, they're ten times more valuable than experienced people starting from scratch - so why shouldn't they should be paid for it he asks.

Plus with the world talent shortage getting tighter every day, who in their right mind would turn down an experienced employee who's proved their worth, knows the company system, and wants to come back?