Because I am a European entrepreneur, and I have learnt that I should make hiring decisions based on talent, not on the probability of someone getting pregnant.
Not to be pedantic, but "preaching to the choir" usually means you are trying to convince people who are already convinced. If HN is divided on the issue, this isn't the choir!
Furthermore, as I said in my post, I'm not saying that maternity leave is a bad thing, I just feel that paining it as a simple issue is unproductive.
I don't make hiring decisions based on talent. I've highly talented people who can't collaborate at all - I wouldn't hire them. I make hiring decisions based on expected ROI, what I can afford, legality, as well as other personal factors (one of which is increasing diversity, both of gender and cultural background).
I was referring to your "is a very big issue.". I know what you are referring too: limited time, limited cash, tight deadlines, making payroll, acquiring customers. I know what you refer by "is a very big issue.", hence my expression.
My definition of talent is the same as your hiring decision. I used the word "talent" simply not to go into a long list of obvious employee traits :)
