Expert warns equality laws are damaging women's careers

The Chief Executive of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission has warned that extending maternity leave and parental rights could be damaging women's career prospects.

Speaking to The Times, Nicola Brewer noted that improved maternity benefits, such as offering women a paid year off work after the birth of each child, were intended to help working mothers.

However, she suggested that they have entrenched the traditional belief that women are primarily responsible for bringing up children, rather than encouraging shared parenting.

British fathers currently have the most unequal rights in Europe, according to the newspaper.

'There has been a sea change on maternity leave and flexible work and we welcome that … but the effect has been to reinforce some traditional patterns,' Ms Brewer commented.

This follows a recent announcement by Harriet Harman, the Equalities Minister, of new proposals aimed at reducing inequality in the workplace through positive discrimination.