The EU proposal, causing concern to employment minister Pat McFadden, the British Chambers of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Business, means women on maternity leave would receive their full salary for 18 weeks - three times the current six week minimum.
But Andrea Ward, employment associate at Hogan & Hartson, said: "If the [EU] commission gets it right, women who do benefit from the proposals should be more likely to return to work following their maternity leave, rather than lose their careers immediately.
"Although there will be increased cost for businesses, an uplift on maternity pay to support women during such an important time may well encourage them back to work to save employers money in the long run."
Employer bodies concerned about EU plan to triple maternity leave full pay entitlement
Mothers could be entitled to a dramatic increase in maternity pay under EU proposals, as maternity leave allowance may be tripled.
