OK, so as one half of a childless couple we do get a bit upset over maternity leave. I know, looking out for the next generation and all that, but still at the same time it bugs us that you get a year off with pay (I know, not full pay, but still) and we never will.
My other half came up with a good idea though, and I just wanted to see if it would fly.
Anyone who doesn't take maternity leave can retire a year early, with their salary replaced by what would be maternity pay at the same time, and no penalties to pension etc or other rights.
In effect, if you haven't had a baby by the time you're 65-ish, you get the same time off that everyone else who HAD babies would have done.
What do people think? Obviously there's no limit on how many "real" maternity leaves parents can take, but you can't really allow for that - allowing everyone
the time off at least once at least redresses the balance a little bit.
By the way I've used the word "maternity" leave here, but it should be read to include paternity leave as well.
My other half came up with a good idea though, and I just wanted to see if it would fly.
Anyone who doesn't take maternity leave can retire a year early, with their salary replaced by what would be maternity pay at the same time, and no penalties to pension etc or other rights.
In effect, if you haven't had a baby by the time you're 65-ish, you get the same time off that everyone else who HAD babies would have done.
What do people think? Obviously there's no limit on how many "real" maternity leaves parents can take, but you can't really allow for that - allowing everyone
the time off at least once at least redresses the balance a little bit.
By the way I've used the word "maternity" leave here, but it should be read to include paternity leave as well.