Legal News
EU Tells Firms to Support Mothers Who Return To Work (11 October 2011)
Date: 11/10/2011
The EU has told firms to provide full-time working mothers with breastfeeding breaks of a maximum of two hour per day. Under new proposals, mothers would also be granted the right to work part-time for a year following their return to work, and be eligible to receive 20 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay. The British Chambers of Commerce has warned that these measures could cost the Government £2.5 billion and may risk women’s positions in the workplace. It warned that taxes would have to increase to cover the cost.
If passed, Britain is legally obliged to comply with the proposals. Companies would therefore have to provide every mother returning to work full-time with breastfeeding breaks of up to two hours per day. There would be no cap on these breaks. Mothers would be provided with an “absolute right” flexible working hours and would be entitled to work part-time for a year following their return to work. Bosses would be unable to force a woman to work night shifts or overtime in the ten weeks before the birth of a baby and during the breastfeeding period. Mothers would be entitled to full pay for the first 20 weeks of their maternity leave and it would be compulsory for mothers to take at least six weeks off following giving birth. Fathers would also benefit under new proposals. Fathers would receive two weeks’ paternity pay on full pay.
Duncan Lewis’ employment law solicitors can advise new mothers on their rights in the workplace.