LSE expert: Longer maternity leave may hinder female workers

If women were to be given longer maternity leave, their chances of getting to the top in the world of business may be hindered, it has been claimed.

In a warning against government plans to enhance such time off, an expert from the London School of Economics (LSE) said that they could lead to a backlash against young women.

Making her comments in an article for Prospect magazine, Dr Catherine Hakim said employers - potentially including those offering accountancy jobs - would be discouraged from hiring and promoting female candidates.

She said: "Several studies by Swedish economists have shown that family-friendly employment policies have been the cause of the glass ceiling for women, not the solution to it."

Bosses may find it costly to replace women in senior and managerial roles, Dr Hakim added.

Recently, Maxine Benson, co-founder of Everywoman, suggested that those who feel they have been the victim of unfair pay practices should raise the issue with their employers.

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