Reform Maternity and Paternity Pay, says FSB
FSB launches new flexible working report proposing major reforms to childcare and maternity leave The Government must reform statutory maternity and paternity pay to give small businesses certainty over employee’s family leave, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said in a new report today. Under current rules, women are allowed to take 52 weeks leave, 39 weeks of these are paid on statutory maternity pay, and men can take two weeks paid paternity leave. Yet, while many women benefit from the full length of maternity leave in the UK, 37% of lower paid workers tend to go back to work within six months, compared to 11% of on higher pay. Research by the FSB shows that maternity and paternity leave is one of the most complicated issues in the employment field – half of small busines... »