A business lobby is urging the government to provide relief to business owners struggling to cope with the problems of maternity leave.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believes the government should be doing all it can to ease the problems faced by bosses when their staff take extended maternity leave.
Currently, employers are prohibited from asking mothers when they expect to return to work beyond the statutory 28 days notice, making it difficult to recruit temporary workers.
The FSB believes mothers should update their employer throughout their nine-month leave, giving some indication as to when they wish to return to work.
Last year’s consultation on the issue, involving some of the UK’s major business bodies such as the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), revealed that maternity leave can cost some small firms up to £7,500, costs which the FSB claims should be the responsibility of the government.
Peter Firth at the FSB, said: “Small businesses genuinely employ the best person for the job irrespective of their age or gender.
“However, the system needs an urgent overhaul. The government should take back responsibility for paying Statutory Maternity Pay, and open the door for more dialogue between mother and employer about when she expects to return to work.”
The issue will be exacerbated during 2005, as trade unions seek to extend maternity leave even further.
Rebecca Gill, policy officer on women’s equality at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), told startups: “We are not totally against the idea of improved communication between the mother and the employer. However, there must be measures in place to make sure employers are not harassing staff into coming back to work.
“On the issue of extending maternity leave, we are looking to have this extended to a full year, making it easier for employers to recruit replacement staff on a one year contract.
“I think this government would be interested in bringing this in, a Conservative government on the other hand, I’m not too sure.”
