The requirement for employers to allow maternity leave under UK law is a disadvantage for women in the workplace. The UK is considered to have one of the highest pay gaps in Europe between men and women. Women face the threat of low pay and the restriction of being less likely to be appointed to a higher profile position. (Anon., 2012), the concept behind this limitation can be linked to the law supporting women taking time off and continuing to be paid while away from work. This essay researches and critically analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of maternity leave for employee and employer. Information source revealed during the recession period in the UK, women of childbearing age are likely to face the barrier of obtaining employment, (Marie-Petrou, 2012) due to employment law relating to the right to maternity leave, employers are reducing the risk and costs of production by decreasing the number of women who are of age to have a family and settle down. Statistically up to 25% of women managers agree, feeling reluctant to hire women with children or of childbearing age (HILLS, 2012). This simply means that discrimination against women of childbearing age is not only limited to men but also women. The argument of women managers is based on taking time off while reducing operational volume and productivity. Should having the opportunity to have children who later in life contribute to the society we live in be a cause of discrimination in this modern age? Why should maternity leave for a woman be a reason for employers to discriminate in obtaining employment, regardless of the gender of the hiring manager? Pregnant workers have legal rights that include pay... half the paper... nd employee regarding maternity leave and maternity pay, companies face low productivity and uptime when female employees female employees take time off for maternity leave, female employees are currently facing the hurdle of dismissal while absent from duty for maternity leave, this limitation does not affect large government organizations due to their investment capital and replacement staff, this essay criticized the fact that being a woman could be a limitation of employment in the labor market, it was also brought to the realization that businesses face the problem of paying compensation to staff for maternity discrimination or illegality. redundancy Further research can be done to identify whether there has ever been a grant opportunity for employers from the UK Government or whether there is financial support from the Government for women going on maternity leave.