CITY VIEWS: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PATERNITY PLANS?
JOHN HANNEN | AVM LIMITED
“It could be a good idea, if done properly. It’s harmful for womens’ careers for them to take an entire year off. It would be complicated to keep track of, though.”
LUKE CORRIE | BANKING CONTRACTOR
“It’s a nice idea but I can’t see it working myself. It would be very expensive for the entire staff to be able to take this time off. And a lot of people in the City work as contractors, so it’s impossible to take the time anyway.”
NEIL WALLER | SOUTHERN SOLAR
“I think it’s a great idea in principle. In a modern society we should have equality, especially as we get to a stage where there are as many women in the workplace as there are men.”
FAST FACTS | CHANGES TO MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE REGULATIONS
At present mothers can take 52 weeks of maternity leave.
The first six weeks are paid at 90 per cent of salary. The rest of a nine month period is paid as low as the statutory rate (under £130 a week).
Currently, fathers can take just two weeks of paternity leave at the statutory rate (under £130 a week), although some firms pay more.
For babies due after 6 April, mothers can now give the final six months’ leave to the father.