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I did not have a good experience. Please PM me if you are interested in finding out more and are still doing the survey.

Hi Cupcake,

I work for a substantially sized international corporation, who are renowned for being a top employer for women. It is within the beauty industry.

I am only 15 weeks but have been with this company for 5.5 years, and so had my ds while working for them, although in a very different role. Both times they have been exceptional and this time have paid particular attention to my needs, as i am expecting twins and also had to be signed off for 6 weeks with HG. They have really seemed genuine in terms of actually giving a damn, which means a lot, especially as I was so nervous about informing them of my pregnancy to begin with.
They have completed all the relevant health and safety surveys to ensure I won't be lifting, twisting etc during my working day and also assessed my desk area which will mean I can get the appropriate back rest etc for my desk chair.

They have also been great at offering lots of options in terms of how they can help me plan my finances for mat leave, and they approached this sensitively as some people my not want to discuss this side of their lives with their Hr rep etc, but I was happy to and she really helped give me some saving tips etc.

They have been great with allowing me the time off for appointments and as I have to have a scan every two weeks this has also been really important for me.

HTH a bit!

I work at a large UK wide company. My boss and team have all been really supportive. I think it helps that my boss has had 2 children in last few years so she understands completely all the worries I have before I even voice them!

I don'kt have anything to compare it to but I think my pay package is reasonably generous - it's topped up to full pay for the first 4 months, then SMP for the next 5.

When I submit my MATB1 in a couple of weeks my boss and I will get a contact name in HRso will wait to see how well they do... We joke that HR means historically rubbish!

I work for a large insurance company and its not been great!! I'm 30 weeks now, gave them my mat b1 on time and haven't heard a peep since, not even if I can leave on my requested date!! Had to fill in a form also (covering dates etc) and not heard back on this. You used to have meetings before leaving, part way through maternity and at the end to discuss returning to work, they've all now been scrapped due 'time constraints'. Now it's up to you to inform work when you are due to return and they do not remind you, this resulted in a friend of mine returning late and she got confused with dates!!

Have been good with appointments tho.

Xxx

I work for a smallish company, and they have been really supportive - I have a lot of hospital appointments due to history, but having the time away has never been a problem. I am also able to work from home a couple of days a week which really helps because I'm suffering with PGP. I am quite senior though, and have the equipment and ability to work from home, as I did in the evenings and weekends if/when required anyway, so I'm not sure if we would be able to offer that to others though.

I have no complaints (although it would be fab if we got above statutory maternity pay!!!) at all.

Hi cupcake,
I am currently mid way through my pregnancy, and my work have been really supportive. I am an upper school teacher, and there are over 200 staff members at my school, and there is a regular turnover of pregnant women, which may explain why they are so well prepared for dealing with it.
So, before I told them I was pg, I was nervous about how they would respond (losing a staff member etc), but my line manager was lovely and seemed really happy for me - really put me at ease. Booked in health and safety meeting immediately so that I knew this wasn't going to be forgotten.
During this meeting, again line manager very open and supportive. Talked me through the process in detail, made it clear that if I wanted to come back part time, what I would need to do and how to apply for it.

Later, when I had to go for amniocentesis, very scared, line manager was lovely, told me anecdote about her sister, made me feel like it would be ok, whatever the outcome.

Generally ecstatic with the way I have been treated, and I am confident that this treatment will continue. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have! Xx