'More maternity benefits offered'
Updated on 20 July 2007
Firms are increasingly offering extra maternity leave to their women workers, partly to help retain staff, according to a new report.
Research by Incomes Data Services (IDS) showed that some firms were giving "significantly more" than the statutory 39 weeks leave.
Companies have responded to the recent increase in provision announced by the Government by improving their own arrangements, said the report.
Some organisations were also offering a return to work bonus or allowed women to return on the salary they would have reached had they not taken a break.
Ken Mulkearn of IDS said: "We are seeing a continuing trend across the economy towards offering maternity benefits substantially above the minimum entitlement.
"This trend is likely to widen into other sectors as the Government continues its emphasis on improvements in this area."
The report was based on maternity agreements at 25 organisations.
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