London - A third of managers would rather employ a man in his 20s or 30s than a woman of the same age because of maternity leave, according to a study.
The survey of 500 managers by law firm Slater & Gordon also found that 40 percent would be wary of hiring a woman who has already had a child or hiring a mother for a senior role.
Some 44 percent said the costs of maternity leave to their business are a major concern.
A third claimed that women are not as good at their jobs when they come back from maternity leave. The poll produced a fierce reaction. Employment relations Minister Jo Swinson said: “Pregnancy discrimination is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable.
“There is no excuse for such attitudes from these employers, who frankly are dinosaurs.
“The introduction of shared parental leave from April will mean men as well as women taking leave to look after their baby.”
TUC chief Frances O’Grady said: “Employers that do this are missing out on many of the country’s brightest young workers.” - Daily Mail