Maternity benefits case puts policies in spotlight

HR executive says medical exam may be proposed to screen for pregnancy

An incident in which a woman announced her pregnancy after three days on a new job - and then quit immediately after her maternity leave expired - triggered online discussions and comments that such incidents may create barriers for women in job hunting.

Zhejiang Jinxun, a private internet technology company based in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, told Ningbo Evening News on Sept 6 that a job applicant who claimed in an interview to be single and said she didn't plan to get married in the near future announced that she was pregnant shortly after being hired. She asked for sick leave frequently during pregnancy, and resigned when her 128-day maternity leave ended, the company said.