Equality and Human Rights Commission calls for a more flexible approach to maternity and paternity leave

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a public consultation into maternity and paternity leave entitlement. Presently women are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave and fathers 2 weeks but the Commission is worried that the discrepancy between women’s and men’s rights is damaging women’s careers. Nicola Brewer, Chief Executive, called for a more flexible approach to work and called for less of a focus on the need for ‘maternity’ leave and more of a focus on allowing parents to decide who takes parental leave after the first 6 months.