Charities warn against reduction in maternity leave
Lauren Higgs
Friday, May 4, 2012
A coalition of charities is calling on government not to reduce basic maternity leave from six months to 18 weeks, ahead of proposed legislation expected in the Queen's Speech next week.
The government’s Modern Workplaces consultation set out proposals to reduce standard maternity leave to 18 weeks, and designate the remaining six weeks leave currently on offer as “flexible parental leave”, available to either parent.
The proposals are earmarked for inclusion in a new children and families bill, likely to be taken forward in the next parliamentary session.
In a letter to ministers, 17 members of the Working Parents Group coalition called on the government to rethink the consultation proposals. ?The group warned that a new presumption of 18 weeks basic leave could harm equality in the workplace and bring “hidden costs” to businesses if women return to work too soon.
As part of a campaign against the plans, the website Netmums carried out a survey of its members in partnership with the charity Working Families.
The survey of 1,500 mothers found that nearly 60 per cent felt it would be difficult to ask employers to give “flexible parental leave” in addition to basic maternity leave, if the proposals were made law.
Asked if their partners would be interested in taking “shared leave”, 17 per cent said yes, but 28 per cent said the plans wouldn’t work in practice; while a further 41 per cent said the family could not afford for the father to take time off.
Working Families also asked 11 employers for their views on the proposals, of which nine said they would prefer a default of six months basic maternity leave as opposed to the 18-week proposal. Employers concerns included the risk of higher absenteeism among women returning to work before they were ready.
Netmums founder Sally Russell said: “Women are very strongly saying that 18 weeks of maternity leave is not enough. It is possible to have a system that works for mums and dads but this isn’t it.
“An 18-week limit may well push women out of employment and the result will be the opposite of what the government is trying to achieve.”
Working Families chief executive, Sarah Jackson added: “This isn’t just about what women want; some of our top employers are warning of hidden costs to business if women come back too soon.
“We urge the government to think again. Eighteen weeks of maternity leave is simply too short for women’s wellbeing and for business success."
Organisations involved in the Working Parents Group coalition include the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice, Mothers Union, National Childbirth Trust and Working Families.
