Small businesses need maternity leave reform to solve employment disputes

Published on 9 Aug 2010 under category: legal

Small businesses need to have more flexibility when it comes to maternity and paternity leave, according to one industry body.
The Federation of Small Businesses has called on the government to firm up rules so new parents taking time off can plan how long they are away from the workplace and what kind of pay they will receive.
Flexible maternity and paternity leave would also allow small businesses to plan ahead for staff absence.
According to its research, more than a third (37 per cent) of lower-paid workers are likely to return to work within six months.
This is in comparison to just over one in ten (11 per cent) of workers on higher-wages.
Commenting on the proposal, the national chairman of the FSB John Walker said: "Government must reform the way statutory pay is distributed to people taking maternity or paternity leave.
"Parents should be able to choose not only how long they take leave but how and when they receive the pay they are entitled to. In doing so small firms will have more clarity on when that invaluable and skilled member of staff will return to work."

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