Small businesses – such as those using serviced offices in Cardiff - should not be saddled with more red tape, it has been noted.
Thomas Parry, research projects manager at the Forum of Private Business, was commenting after the announcement by European Parliament that the time taken off work after giving birth should be extended to a minimum of 20 weeks, up from the current allocation of 14.
"The timing of the vote to extend maternity leave is unhelpful as it sends out the wrong message to business owners and potential entrepreneurs," he said.
Mr Parry added small companies in the private sector should be given incentives to employ more people and grow at a time when the UK is facing private sector job cuts.
This demonstrates that the European Union is not living up to its Think Small First policy, he stated.
Earlier this week, MEPs went beyond the European Commission's proposal to extend minimum maternity to 18 weeks by voting in favour of raising the time allowed away from work after giving birth to 20 weeks.
