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Some employers are still not "childbirth-friendly" when it comes to maternity leave, a leading midwife has said.
Although some businesses have good employee benefits systems in place, others are less generous and accommodating, said Mervi Jokinen of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
UK women can take statutory maternity leave for up to 52 weeks, with statutory maternity pay for up to 39 weeks.
However, employers can offer their own schemes with higher levels of pay and longer leave if they choose to.
Ms Jokinen, an RCM officer and midwife, said some firms were "very good" but added: "Some employers are really not very childbirth-friendly. So I think having the legislation has helped in terms of new mothers not being penalised."
If entitled to it, the law says a woman can receive 90 per cent of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of leave, then up to £117.18 for the remaining 33 weeks. The last 13 weeks, if taken, are unpaid.
