'Family Friendly' proposal too friendly to family, says CBI 

Government proposals to extend parental leave to cover all children at school, not just those born after 15 December 1999, are a volte-face by the Government, employers' bodies warn.   Business leaders are reported to be furious about the plan being considered by Industry Minister Stephen Byers and his colleagues in the Review of maternity leave and flexible working. The move is part of more flexible work patterns, including returning to work on a part-time or home-working basis after maternity leave. A Government statement says competitiveness is at the heart of the review, and flexible work patterns will motivate staff and increase productivity. The immediate response of CBI Director-General Digby Jones was to criticise the government for speaking of higher productivity while increasing arbitrary leave. There is no time to get the necessary legislation through in the remaining life of this Parliament, so it is understood it will be a manifesto commitment in the General Election. In the shorter term the Government is thinking of changing its stance on leave for parents of children born after 15 December 1999 to harmonise them with the 'under 8s' standard used elsewhere in Europe. This will avoid the present embarrassing situation where the TUC, advised by the Prime Minister's wife Cherie Booth QC, is taking the Government to the European Court on the issue.  (UK 13/06/00)