A European Parliament committee have passed a draft leg to extend maternity leave across Europe to 20 weeks on full pay…
Current European rules give women 14 weeks leave fully paid.
In the UK, women get a year off, with the first six weeks on 90% pay, followed by 33 weeks on Statutory Maternity Pay. The rest is unpaid.
The 20-week proposals will now go before the full European Parliament in early March but there are concerns that employers could discriminate against women of a child-bearing age if the rules are passed. Many think we already have a generous enough system and that a substantial increase in maternity leave paid at full or near-full pay risks undermining this delicate balance at a time when economies across the EU can least afford it.
Tell us what you think or see Advice on Discrimination issues.
