I can't quote rules & regulations as I don't know them. I would certainly know them if I was still working but I've been retired for several years. It's quite likely that the rules in the UK are completely different to those in the US but I simply don't know. I'm just putting the case for those much-abused employers. With all the (often petty) rules & regulations they have to comply with these days it's surprising they haven't all gone to the wall.
Don't get me wrong Doug, until 4 years ago, I was one of those employers that is driven mad by idiotic labor laws.
I understand that in many European countries that a woman can get up to 2 years maternity leave. Here in the US it is limited to 8 to 12 weeks. During this period the woman must be paid her normal wage. After that she's on her own if she decides to stay out longer. In some states even the father is allowed a leave while his wife is home with the child for those 8 to 12 weeks.
The list of idiotic labor laws in the US would probably stretch to the moon and have literally put about 80% of all small business's out of business.