Prior to the emergence of Capability Management, the dominant theory explaining the existence and competitive position of firms, based on Ricardian economics, was the Resource-based view of the firm (RBVF).
No. Women here are not legally allowed to return to work until at least two weeks after birth, according to Mary Newburn, head of policy at the National Childbirth Trust. This is to protect their health.
Mothers must still take the initial two weeks after birth, but they can then cut their maternity leave short and exchange it for shared parental leave. Both parents will then have a flexible choice of how to split up the rest of the leave entitlement - of up to 50 weeks. For example, if a mother ends her maternity leave after the 12 weeks following the child's birth, that leaves 40 weeks of leave. She chooses to take 30 weeks and so her partner can take the other 10 weeks. Alternatively, the couple may choose to take 20 weeks of leave at the same time or at different times.