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Charity reacts to maternity reform plans

Posted: 10 May 2012. By Rebecca Grant

The charity Working Families has welcomed plans to make parental leave more flexible, but voiced concerns over plans to cut maternity leave to 18 weeks.

Parliament
Parliament
Reacting to the reforms outlined in the Queen’s Speech yesterday (9 May), Working Families urged the government rethink its plans. ’Pushing women back to work too soon will bring hidden costs to employers,’ it said in a statement.

These hidden costs are likely to include higher levels of absenteeism among employees who return to work before they are ready, and the costs of arranging cover for these workers.

The charity’s chief executive, Sarah Jackson also warned the government that a shorter maternity period would have a detrimental effect on a woman’s wellbeing.

RCM Communities: do you think 18 weeks is long enough for maternity leave? Share your views here.