Human Resources: Maternity leave seen as a business risk

A survey conducted by AXA reveals that 25 per cent of British businesses consider maternity and paternity leave as a business risk.

Concern is highest in the small business sector (doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out), with 28% of businesses with 20 or less employees saying it was a business risk as opposed to 15% of those with more than 100 staff.

The new Parental Rights Bill, is expected to recommend that paid maternity leave be increased from six months to nine and eventually 12. Mothers would also be able to transfer some of their leave to their partners.