Why should any employer employ someone who then a few weeks into the employment becomes unfit to do the job for which they were employed but is then legally obliged to not only keep them on as employees but to pay them as well?
You don't have to pay them if they have worked for you for less than 6 months. The Government pay Maternity Allowance at a rate of £102 per week for 26 weeks, so long as you meet certain criteria based on hours worked etc.
Therefore you have had at least 6 months work from the employee before you have to pay anything. Even then Statutory Mat Pay is only £100/week or 90% of salary (whichever is lower) and that is claimed back from the government as well...
The only time you have to pay anything like the salary is when the employee has 2 years continuous service...
Oh, and with regards to the
a few weeks into the employment becomes unfit to do the job for which they were employed
line, !!!! happens...