The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for the Government to introduce a small employer's relief for the recovery of statutory sick pay (SSP), as new figures show that sickness absence costs small businesses on average £1,500 per year.

New research has found that almost two thirds (64%) of employers do not expect female employees to return to work after their maternity leave. Almost half of these employers say this expectation is based on ‘previous experience.’

A new research report has been published which presents the findings of Ireland's first nationally representative survey of women's experiences at work during and after pregnancy.