Off topic - maternity leave

Should maternity leave be available for everyone including men and women who don't have children. Maternity leave can be seen as a break away from work to bear a child in the later months of pregnancy, give birth, adapt to having a child at home and obviously spend some time with the new born. However what about everyone else? Having a child is a choice and what's It like to those who constantly see their work colleagues going off for lengthily breaks and still keeping the benefits of the workplace such as annual leave and in the mean time their work colleagues have to pick up the pieces whilst they are off - is it fair? Many companies give very limited sick pay in this day and age and if suddenly you get a serious illness and need time off through no fault of your own (not planned) than it goes down as a black mark against your name however people who choose to have children can just have time off? - is it fair? People who don't have children or men somehow have to pay for people on maternity leave (indirectly). I know some of my colleagues are like well it's the same as the benefits arguement - why should everyone else pay for other people to benefit?

Personally I agree that women who are going to have children should get maternity leave but I also believe that this time should be available to everyone - for example 'family leave'. Maybe to care for a sick relative or just quality time spent with your loved ones. So perhaps you are given a set amount of time and you can either take it as time off when having a child or for other reasons. Obviously giving birth and adapting to having a new baby in the household is different to not having a baby but again I guess it's their choice to have that child.

What do you think? Abit controversial and I'm sure people will argue for and against.

Should maternity leave be available for everyone including men and women who don't have children. Maternity leave can be seen as a break away from work to bear a child in the later months of pregnancy, give birth, adapt to having a child at home and obviously spend some time with the new born. However what about everyone else? Having a child is a choice and what's It like to those who constantly see their work colleagues going off for lengthily breaks and still keeping the benefits of the workplace such as annual leave and in the mean time their work colleagues have to pick up the pieces whilst they are off - is it fair? Many companies give very limited sick pay in this day and age and if suddenly you get a serious illness and need time off through no fault of your own (not planned) than it goes down as a black mark against your name however people who choose to have children can just have time off? - is it fair? People who don't have children or men somehow have to pay for people on maternity leave (indirectly). I know some of my colleagues are like well it's the same as the benefits arguement - why should everyone else pay for other people to benefit?

Personally I agree that women who are going to have children should get maternity leave but I also believe that this time should be available to everyone - for example 'family leave'. Maybe to care for a sick relative or just quality time spent with your loved ones. So perhaps you are given a set amount of time and you can either take it as time off when having a child or for other reasons. Obviously giving birth and adapting to having a new baby in the household is different to not having a baby but again I guess it's their choice to have that child.

What do you think? Abit controversial and I'm sure people will argue for and against.

maternity leave for those who dont have children


ffs ive heard everything now

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

utter nonsense.


would tear the entire workforce to pieces.

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

ffs would kill small businesses, its hard enough now when staff swan off for 9 months no fault of tge owners and trying to find the of the money to cover there wages

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

ffs would kill small businesses, its hard enough now when staff swan off for 9 months no fault of tge owners and trying to find the of the money to cover there wages

Ok I see your point. The cost to businesses , esp small businesses would be huge. perhaps there should be no maternity leave full stop then? Just sick leave if people need it? And don't forget people choose to have a child (in most cases anyway) but don't choose to b Ill?

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

ffs would kill small businesses, its hard enough now when staff swan off for 9 months no fault of tge owners and trying to find the of the money to cover there wages

Does maternity pay come from the government or from the company?

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

ffs would kill small businesses, its hard enough now when staff swan off for 9 months no fault of tge owners and trying to find the of the money to cover there wages

Ok I see your point. The cost to businesses , esp small businesses would be huge. perhaps there should be no maternity leave full stop then? Just sick leave if people need it? And don't forget people choose to have a child (in most cases anyway) but don't choose to b Ill?

man honestly stop talking nonsense

I just read that busninesses can claim most of the maternity leave pay back from the government.

I just read that busninesses can claim most of the maternity leave pay back from the government.

only a percentage and its has a sealing level also you have to pay it out first of all it took 6 months for me to get 4500 back it bloody killed me ,for small business its a night mare coz your paying it out and covering the wages of the new staff a double whammy

I just read that busninesses can claim most of the maternity leave pay back from the government.

only a percentage and its has a sealing level also you have to pay it out first of all it took 6 months for me to get 4500 back it bloody killed me ,for small business its a night mare coz your paying it out and covering the wages of the new staff a double whammy

Oh I see, I wasn't sure how it works. I agree it must be a strain and a nuisance on a business until you get the money (a percentage) back. Like I said before perhaps no matenity leave should be given. Sounds very harsh but it's just one angle to look at it. I personally don t begrudge women who are having babies getting maternity leave but I keep going back to the point that they make the choice to. but you don't decide to be ill - and IMO those people need the time off even more so.

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

utter nonsense.


would tear the entire workforce to pieces.

We might as well all have another 50 annual leave days...

I just read that busninesses can claim most of the maternity leave pay back from the government.

only a percentage and its has a sealing level also you have to pay it out first of all it took 6 months for me to get 4500 back it bloody killed me ,for small business its a night mare coz your paying it out and covering the wages of the new staff a double whammy

Oh I see, I wasn't sure how it works. I agree it must be a strain and a nuisance on a business until you get the money (a percentage) back. Like I said before perhaps no matenity leave should be given. Sounds very harsh but it's just one angle to look at it. I personally don t begrudge women who are having babies getting maternity leave but I keep going back to the point that they make the choice to. but you don't decide to be ill - and IMO those people need the time off even more so.

What about the women who get pregnant without trying for a baby and are against abortion ? should they have to be without maternity?

I've recently had a baby ( 5 months ) and without my partner being on maternity leave I believe we'd have an argument every day due to tiredness and stress.
Its a lot harder than I thought it would be so thank god for this leave for her.
I used to have the mindset that its the parents problem to deal with but since I've had a son its changed a lot of my thoughts.

We don't receive any additional Money from the government so the taxes myself & my partner have paid over the years surely entitles her to 9 months off.

( Just an opinion )

If women stayed at home just being a housewife, cooking cleaning washing etc, then there'd be no need for maternity leave.

I just read that busninesses can claim most of the maternity leave pay back from the government.

only a percentage and its has a sealing level also you have to pay it out first of all it took 6 months for me to get 4500 back it bloody killed me ,for small business its a night mare coz your paying it out and covering the wages of the new staff a double whammy

Oh I see, I wasn't sure how it works. I agree it must be a strain and a nuisance on a business until you get the money (a percentage) back. Like I said before perhaps no matenity leave should be given. Sounds very harsh but it's just one angle to look at it. I personally don t begrudge women who are having babies getting maternity leave but I keep going back to the point that they make the choice to. but you don't decide to be ill - and IMO those people need the time off even more so.

What about the women who get pregnant without trying for a baby and are against abortion ? should they have to be without maternity?

I've recently had a baby ( 5 months ) and without my partner being on maternity leave I believe we'd have an argument every day due to tiredness and stress.
Its a lot harder than I thought it would be so thank god for this leave for her.
I used to have the mindset that its the parents problem to deal with but since I've had a son its changed a lot of my thoughts.

We don't receive any additional Money from the government so the taxes myself & my partner have paid over the years surely entitles her to 9 months off.

( Just an opinion )

Firstly congrats on your baby and wish you all the best and hopefully it'll get easier as time goes on (tiredness and stress etc). I'm quite on the fence with the arguement. I look back to when I was a young child and was grateful that my mother was around. (She didn't take maternity as she wasn't working at time. My father was working full time and supported the family) but times have changed - things are more expensive and sometimes 2 people struggle to make ends meet. There are times when a women could get pregnant where she hasn't chosen to and that could potentially raise some very sensitive subjects. In that case, time off would be required depending on the circumstances.

I think overall I agree it maternity leave but still believe that everyone else should have the option of taking some time off too (family leave). But then you have businesses to consider so I guess it would be down to the government. Perhaps they could make amendments elsewhere?

I know it seems bizarre when first thinking about the topic (I thought it was odd) but given time to think about the topic my opinion has changed. What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be called maternity leave would it? It would be family leave - the term maternity leave would go.

It would be replaced by a general term family leave. Everyone would have access to some time out 3-6 months. Just my opinion though.

ffs would kill small businesses, its hard enough now when staff swan off for 9 months no fault of tge owners and trying to find the of the money to cover there wages

Ok I see your point. The cost to businesses , esp small businesses would be huge. perhaps there should be no maternity leave full stop then? Just sick leave if people need it? And don't forget people choose to have a child (in most cases anyway) but don't choose to b Ill?

Most child births are planned? Is that a fact is it?

Story in one of the papers this morning saying all people should get maternity leave, whether they have kids or not - which is ludicrous.

At least you’re making a point of people looking after ill relatives.

Story in one of the papers this morning saying all people should get maternity leave, whether they have kids or not - which is ludicrous.

At least you’re making a point of people looking after ill relatives.

That's like saying oh Cardiff have won promotion to the premiership so I have have a few months off work due to a massive hangover .

Hang on a minute....

But people make life decisions - perhaps one is to start a family, perhaps you might want to take time off to study or train for something, perhaps you want to undertake a project in the community, care for a family member or plain and simple just want to take time off to spend with family. Many pregnancies are planned.... I'm not saying they happen when u want them to happen but most of my friends have tried for a baby and at some point had a child whether it be 2 years down the line etc. Obviously some are not planned. If you do the deed etc.....lol! I'm not getting into that conversation lol. My point is you may choose that the main aim in life is to start a family....fine but why should other people who do t want this pay for it via government? And why should they get time off but others don't. It might be that your main aim in life is to rehome 8 rescue dogs! To be honest you'd be helping out mankind more doing this than adding to it lol! Perhaps you want to take time out to look after a relative etc etc. We'll surely, what ever your life decision is.....it should be equally dealt with.

People don't make life decisions to be ill either but have time off when they are. What about those lucky people who aren't ill- do they deserve more time off aswell?

But people make life decisions - perhaps one is to start a family, perhaps you might want to take time off to study or train for something, perhaps you want to undertake a project in the community, care for a family member or plain and simple just want to take time off to spend with family. Many pregnancies are planned.... I'm not saying they happen when u want them to happen but most of my friends have tried for a baby and at some point had a child whether it be 2 years down the line etc. Obviously some are not planned. If you do the deed etc.....lol! I'm not getting into that conversation lol. My point is you may choose that the main aim in life is to start a family....fine but why should other people who do t want this pay for it via government? And why should they get time off but others don't. It might be that your main aim in life is to rehome 8 rescue dogs! To be honest you'd be helping out mankind more doing this than adding to it lol! Perhaps you want to take time out to look after a relative etc etc. We'll surely, what ever your life decision is.....it should be equally dealt with.

I dont have kids, and dont begrudge new parents having time off, because my free time is my own, something you lose as a new parent. and plus the economy would suffer if everyone was allowed to take off 6 months from work.

Maternity leave should stay but without pay, and their pay should be used to pay new staff to cover for them, but only for small businesses. Same goes for the men involved in having maternity leave ffs who brought this silly thing about men having maternity leave. As to the question about having leave to care for sick family, they should get full pay, but for small businesses only, big business can afford to pay themselves. Finally pregnancy is not an illness.

The father gets paternity leave for 2 weeks after the birth but reduced pay

But people make life decisions - perhaps one is to start a family, perhaps you might want to take time off to study or train for something, perhaps you want to undertake a project in the community, care for a family member or plain and simple just want to take time off to spend with family. Many pregnancies are planned.... I'm not saying they happen when u want them to happen but most of my friends have tried for a baby and at some point had a child whether it be 2 years down the line etc. Obviously some are not planned. If you do the deed etc.....lol! I'm not getting into that conversation lol. My point is you may choose that the main aim in life is to start a family....fine but why should other people who do t want this pay for it via government? And why should they get time off but others don't. It might be that your main aim in life is to rehome 8 rescue dogs! To be honest you'd be helping out mankind more doing this than adding to it lol! Perhaps you want to take time out to look after a relative etc etc. We'll surely, what ever your life decision is.....it should be equally dealt with.

I think your perspective is one which is based on your own self interest rather than looking at childbirth as an investment in the future of the UK.

We need the next generation therefore childbirth is an exceptional circumstance which requires everyone to share the financial burden and to help practically with things like Maternity and Paternity leave.

Giving 'maternity leave' to those without children is plain madness and will never happen and rightly so. If you want quality time with your family or to do something like studying then either use your annual leave or sign up for a student loan or grant.

Maternity leave should stay but without pay, and their pay should be used to pay new staff to cover for them, but only for small businesses. Same goes for the men involved in having maternity leave ffs who brought this silly thing about men having maternity leave. As to the question about having leave to care for sick family, they should get full pay, but for small businesses only, big business can afford to pay themselves. Finally pregnancy is not an illness.

Men are only allowed a short time of paternity leave (I think it's 2 weeks) and have reduced wages whilst off work. I fully agree with paternity leave as Father's should take more responsibility for their new born.

Also there should be an option for the Father to take the time off instead of the Mother who may want to return to work early because of economic reasons.

As stated above the Government bears most of the cost for Maternity pay. However, some professionals such as Doctors have maternity pay written into their contracts of employment and generally receive 90% of their normal wage whilst off. The company will bear most of that cost not the Government.

Childbirth is an investment in the future of the UK because as we know those children will eventually grow up to be the taxpayers of the future.

I've heard it all now.

Maternity pay is payed by the government to keep women's jobs open for them to return to work in 9-12 months time. It's not a lot about £140 a week. Its an incentive to return to work.

The other option is the mother quits work and claims benefits, which believe me would probably cost the government more than the £140 SMP.

But to your point about everyone being entitled to time off. Everyone is entitled to sabbatical leave from work

Maternity leave should stay but without pay, and their pay should be used to pay new staff to cover for them, but only for small businesses. Same goes for the men involved in having maternity leave ffs who brought this silly thing about men having maternity leave. As to the question about having leave to care for sick family, they should get full pay, but for small businesses only, big business can afford to pay themselves. Finally pregnancy is not an illness.

Men are only allowed a short time of paternity leave (I think it's 2 weeks) and have reduced wages whilst off work. I fully agree with paternity leave as Father's should take more responsibility for their new born.

Also there should be an option for the Father to take the time off instead of the Mother who may want to return to work early because of economic reasons.

As stated above the Government bears most of the cost for Maternity pay. However, some professionals such as Doctors have maternity pay written into their contracts of employment and generally receive 90% of their normal wage whilst off. The company will bear most of that cost not the Government.

Childbirth is an investment in the future of the UK because as we know those children will eventually grow up to be the taxpayers of the future.

You can do shared maternity leave which sees the father take some of the time off, on full pay. I know someone I work with is doing it. Makes it a lot more flexible for families