ONE in six mothers are returning to work before their babies are even three months old, new research shows.
The figures come as a landmark government report today is expected to recommend women get at least 14 weeks paid maternity leave, news.com.au reports.
A national survey of Australian families conducted for the Government has found 8 per cent of the nation's mothers went back to work one month after the birth of their babies.
Another 8 per cent returned to jobs within two or three months of giving birth, the Household Income and Labour Dynamics survey of 13,000 Australians found.
It also found 40 per cent of mothers were working again a year after giving birth, up from 32 per cent in 1996.
The report concluded many women were being forced back to work because they were not eligible for paid maternity leave and were under financial pressure.
But in some cases the trend was due to more fathers taking time off work to share child rearing responsibilities.
Just 43 per cent of women and 34 per cent of men were entitled to paid paternity leave.
The Productivity Commission will today release a draft options paper on a new paid maternity leave scheme which is expected to call for at least 14 weeks paid leave for mothers.
However, some were expecting it to offer other options including a six-month scheme for public consideration.
Families and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin supports a 14 week scheme.
She yesterday described the quest for a paid maternity leave scheme as a personal crusade.
The ACTU and business groups also want a 14 week scheme.
But Unions NSW, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and the Commissioner for Children believe at least six to 12 months paid leave was necessary.
But Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has warned the US financial crisis could impact on the Budget and hinted that handouts and welfare would have to be reined in.
Read more on this story at news.com.au
