Research conducted by Citix Online has found that the new laws regarding maternity issues are making employers think twice before employing women.
The new laws are effective in April and will see maternity pay extended from six months to none months and all women will be entitled to twelve months leave, regardless of their length of service.
More than half of the employers surveyed had concerns about hiring women due to the new entitlements. However, 34 per cent of small and medium sized businesses were unaware of the changes coming into force.
Our view
Although the new laws are aimed at helping mothers return to the work place, it seems that some small and medium sized companies are slow to change their practice and recognise what an asset women are to an organisation. The reality is that statutory maternity pay can be and is potentially deductible from national insurance returns, so it is not always left to the employer to fund.
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