Nick Clegg announced planned changes to maternity leave this week. Under the new proposals, mothers can still take 52 weeks of maternity leave, but after the first two weeks they can divvy up the leave with their partners, either by taking it in turns or by taking time off together.
Sounds sensible? Yes, but there are some concerns. "My fear is that this proposal will create expectations [about going back to work two weeks after giving birth]; if it becomes seen as a feasible proposition, then women will increasingly feel unable to stand against it." says HeadinBooks.
And Glosswitch put her fears rather more forcefully in the New Statesman: "That's what all this feels like to me. Back to work, mummies. None of this stay-at-home slacking, not when there's no money around. Sod real equality of opportunity. Sod extending paternity leave [...] Equality, if it means anything, means the important people herding everyone else back into low-paid jobs while telling them they're realising their dreams."
What do you think are the proposed maternity leave changes A Good Thing? Or - in a wobbly economic climate - will an early return to work soon become the norm, with anxious mothers fearful of looking like slackers if they take their full entitlement? Do let us know if you post and we'll tweet.
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Back to work after two weeks - is this the way forward for maternity leave?
6 replies
ElenMumsnetBloggers · 15/11/2012 15:11
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