Barry Cuda, I did not understand the last line but as for the rest, I am sorry to say you are wrong. The employer only reclaims a % of SMP and nothing of SSP. If only one could recaim it all as used to be the case.
Let us just be clear. If I have a single employee and she goes on maternity leave after 6 months, then I have to keep her job open. I then take on someone else to temporary fill the gap by 100% of my workforce being absent. After 6 months that employee has protected employment etc etc. This is not just. I do not force anyone to work for me but I am forced to adhere to completely insane economic rules. SIMPLE answer, I employ no-one and therefore I cannot discriminate. Who loses? I dont because I can get all the contract labour I need.