The new boss of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission has come out and said the bleeding obvious, but a truth people daren’t speak of. No, not that; she’s pointed out that the radical extension of maternity leave could hinder women’s chances of getting their dream job. New mums will soon be given a fully-paid year off work, which will make employers think twice about offering positions or promotions to those who look broody – whether they want children or not. Nicola Brewer feels the new laws compound any assumption that only women raise children, so far from moving things forward, the new ruling could be two steps back.  British fathers have the most unequal rights in Europe, entitled to only two weeks of leave compared with 52 for mothers. At the moment, nine months of maternity leave is paid, but this will rise to a year by the end of the current Parliament. Research from Sweden that has found that fathers who take up to two years off work after the birth of a child are 30% less likely to get divorced. Mamma mia!

Tags: family, Female, leave, maternity leave, perks, rights, Talking point, Women in work

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