...To be upset by this

The office roles I've had over the last 10 years, (4 different companies) we have always done gifts/cards etc to send someone off on mat leave. The company may also have sent a gift when the baby was born, but if they have, then that's not been publicised, and I only got gifts when I started mat leave, not when the baby came.

I think what matters is what company culture is like, do they normally make a fuss for people going on mat leave or not. If they do and they haven't for you, then yanbu.

Agreed, this is the standard - just in case of a worst case scenario.

I'd be upset by this too, it's the lack of acknowledgement. Especially when birthdays are celebrated.

When I went in mat leave no one even spoke to me the last day I was in, I literally sat there ignored and then left without anyone even saying goodbye. Nothing from the team when baby was born either, it was a tough birth and SCBU stay for the baby and not even a text to ask how we were in the whole 10 months I was off. They all knew because I worked with a friend and she had updated the team on the birth/baby's illness and recovery.

I went back for the absolute minimum and quit.

On the few occasions other women have gone on maternity leave, are you sure they’ve done the card/present thing? Could it be that what you remember signing for other women having a baby was only given when the baby was born. I hope so. If not, then it’s horrible that they’ve done it for others but not you.

Everywhere I’ve worked makes a fuss of anyone leaving for maternity leave, they’ve done speeches, cards, flowers etc and then they sent a card and gift for baby when they’ve arrived as well.

I honestly would presume that they would all club together when you have your baby and send flowers or a gift. Try to delay your upset incase that's the plan!

As others have said, we send card/present once baby is born.

In my work, it was always really unusual to arrange flower/gifts/cards after mum had gone on leave and baby was born. People would do that on their own, but teams of colleagues? No, that was always done before.

Honestly I was really embarrassed when it was done for me, but I would have been upset if it had been ignored while others were not. YANBU.

When I went on mayer ity leave I git nothing when I left but when the baby arrived I got a card signed by everyone and gifts from the team. This is normal.

Yes, I know that. In my workplace we always make a fuss of colleagues going on mat leave. I also didn't have a hen night as I despise the concept 😊.

My office always does cards and gifts before maternity leave begins. I’d feel awful if someone was forgotten/ left out.

We've always done a collection and card for mat leave rather than a gift after the birth here. Are you usually the one who organizes collections? Think it's most likely it fell through the net and people didn't think to sort it rather than actively not wanting to mark it.

I don't think I have ever been asked to give money for a collection for someone going on maternity leave..I have also never seen cakes and benners for someone who is leaving to have a baby either. I mean why? Do you expect more presents when the baby is born?

. Can't remember if we've done baby presents before they go on mat leave but we certainly make a bit of a fuss on their last day. Flowers, card, cake, banners

I would be feeling a bit dejected too@hormonalandunsure as it was always a bit of a big thing where I worked, especially for first maternity leaves. Subsequent ones were usually just a card and gifts only from those you worked closely with.
Office wide collection, nice presents, a big "You're having a baby" card signed by everyone and a public presentation of card and gifts with a thank you and good luck from the most senior boss in that day.
We had long mat leaves and quite often career breaks afterwards though so it was often like you were leaving permanently; perhaps these days with most mums going back to work relatively quickly, maybe it's seen as a bit more like an extended holiday for the rest of the staff. (Don't railroad me for that if you don't agree with it, just trying to think of reasons why none of OP's colleagues have bothered the make a bit of a fuss).
Anyway OP it's done now and nothing you can do about it so just forget about it all for now and move on to the next exciting part of your life 😉

Are there actual cards available to say you're going on maternity leave? I take it you're returning after maternity leave so a 'sorry you're leaving' or 'good luck in your new job' isn't appropriate? And I've never bought anyone a gift before baby was born. What was it you were expecting OP? What kind of card or gift.
When you've signed cards and contributed to gifts for colleagues, was this before they left on maternity leave? What did the card say? Are you sure you're not thinking you did these things once baby was born?
It's lovely that your closer colleagues acknowledged the start of your maternity leave but, in my experience, its not the norm. I'm sure you'll receive a lovely card and/or gift once you've given birth - and you'll probably won't remember it at all because you'll be so excited and exhausted by the new arrival!

I think you'll receive a card and gift when you have the baby.

It's colleagues from work, not the group of friends you invited for your hen night

You are not leaving though you are on maternity leave. I would expect that they will send flowers or gift and a card when the baby is born. That's what has happened wherever I have worked

Another one who thinks flowers and maybe a card once baby is born, certainly not before.

Never sent a card to someone going on maternity leave, card and gift after baby arrives is totally normal.

They should have made a bit of a fuss of you! I'd have been sad and disappointed too. Card, present, flowers. Hopefully they're organising something for when baby arrives! Good luck with your birth and new baby ❤💐

I think you need to wait and see if they get anything once baby is born. I have had presents for going on maternity leave and have also gifted only once baby has arrived.

It's considered really bad luck by many to give a gift before baby is safely here

Come back to this thread in 2 months time when your life has been turned upside down by a newborn to give yourself a little chuckle that you ever gave this even a moment’s thought. You’ll have not thought about work or your colleagues whatsoever.

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy and beyond 💐

I understand where you are coming from. Hopefully someone will get you something when the baby is born.

At my last work place, Some people get nice bouquets of flowers on their big birthday, mine was hardly mentioned.