"Under proposals to be voted on next month, women leaving work to having a child would be entitled to 20 weeks' leave on full pay.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) argues this is unaffordable, especially in the current financial crisis.
However, others insist that it is wrong to allow policy to be influenced by temporary economic downturns.
...UK Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom said introducing the law would be "madness".
He added that as well as harming many small and medium-sized businesses, it would also make it harder for women, as employers would be less likely to hire those of child-bearing age because of the potential costs they faced if the employee fell pregnant."
BBC News - EU maternity plans 'unaffordable' says business group
So do I read that right, I would have to pay an employee 20 weeks full pay, as opposed to the current 6 weeks on 90%, with the rest being statutory paid by the govt?
Sitting on both sides of that fence, as my wife has just returned to work for a large organisation after maternity leave, but could I afford that as a small business? Imagine losing 2 girls on maternity leave if you only have say 5 employees? It could cripple you.
Is the MEP Godfrey Bloom right? Would this then steer the judgement of male or female small business owners when it comes to recruiting?
