Maternity Pay - Private Sector

[mumu75]

Hi
I was wondering what the average full pay maternity period is for those working in the private sector?

Most of my friends work in the public sector - schools - and have said that they are entitled to 6 months full pay, then it's staggered to half pay, then SMP.
My employer ( a wealthy property estate - where I have worked just over 10 years) offers 6 weeks full pay, 10 weeks half pay then it's Enhanced SMP for 23 weeks. I was told by the Payroll that this is a very generous package. Personally, I was quite surprised at how poor the package is, but I'm not sure what other people are getting so it's hard to judge.

Can anyone working in the private sector give me an idea of what Maternity packages are out there please?

[Blankiefan]

I work for a FTSE 250 company with 1000 employees and got 6 months full pay. However, until a couple of years ago, they only offered statutory. There's a real mix out there. As a relatively small employer, I think the package you're being offered isn't bad.

[Eminybob]

I work for a large well known national company and I got 14 weeks full pay then statutory. 6 months would have been amazing!

[Purplecircle]

Unless you're public sector, big Plc or privatised public sector then most only pay SMP

[Purplecircle]

And yes that is generous

[Pinotgrigioplease]

I'm a teacher and get 13 weeks at full pay then straight onto SMP with no half pay period.

I would also have loved more but was very grateful that I got anything above the statutory 6weeks.

[Pinotgrigioplease]

What is enhanced SMP?

[HungryHorace]

Mid-sized local law firm, SMP only. Same as most other similar-sized firms locally.

[Redbird12]

I work for a large private company and we get 6 weeks full pay and then the rest just SMP which seems fairly typical in the sector i am in.
So whilst your package may not be as good as some (though i think 6 months full pay is rare), it is definitely better than many.

[sleepdodger]

8 weeks at 90% then smp
A massive company

[PervyMuskrat]

Subsidiary of a listed company, SMP only. Seems to be typical for most SMEs

[MyNameIsFled]

Nhs - we have 8wks at full pay, 18 wks at 50% + SMP then 13wks SMP. I don't know anyone who has had 6 months full pay. Everyone outside nhs/civil service has only had statutory minimum

[PrincessOfChina]

Large multi-national (although obviously maternity policy differs around the world). We get 90% for six weeks, followed by 65% salary for the remaining 33 weeks of OML. Additional maternity leave is not paid at all. We retain all rights to bonus too.

[katienana]

top 40 law firm, 6 weeks 90% 20 weeks 50% 13 weeks SMP. this was the enhanced package as I'd worked there 2 years. tight bastards!

[unclerory]

I work for a multinational chemical company with tens of thousands of employees. I got 4 months full pay then SMP, you have to work for the company for several years before you get the full package, if you haven't worked here long enough you just get SMP. If you don't return to work you have to pay back your maternity pay. Everyone returns to work though, they have good terms and conditions and offer lots of part time options.

[unclerory]

The chemical industry is known for its good terms and conditions though, 4 months is standard and some competitors offer 6 months.

[Figster]

Katie 50% at full for 20 weeks seems quite good to me???

I work for a large engineering consultancy they pay 12wks full pay the rest SMP seems bloody miserable in comparison

[Ellypoo]

SMP only here. SME.

[flowery]

The private sector ranges from huge multinational conglomerates down to the lady with a little cake shop employing a Saturday girl so comparisons are pointless really.

My clients are SMEs and range from 3 employees up to 90. The vast majority of them offer statutory only. Judging by some of the comments on this thread from people who benefit from enhanced packages, there's little point offering anything more, if employees are going to think they are stingy anyway!

[LIG1979]

I work for a company with 3500 globally. In the UK we get 6 months full pay then smp. This is better than most other people I know and so I know I am very lucky. No repayment if you don't return but they are also very good about flexible working so most people return. (They don't pay well for the industry but you can't have it all.)

[Babetti]

Statutory maternity pay for 26 weeks and then unpaid for 16 weeks. Work in a small company and that would be typical. Not in the UK!

[maggiethemagpie]

Anything above SMP is generous

[SaltySeaBird]

SMP only where I was when I had DD and SMP only at my new company now.

[CMOTDibbler]

I work for a company with 5000 odd employees internationally. Mat pay is statutory only, though sick pay is very good.

[RYDONGIRL]

I am a partner in a law firm and got 6 months full pay (with no expectation I would take it...) and having done the research (public and private) that is really uncommon. What you are getting sounds pretty good.