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AIBU?

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Original poster

Started a new job, got a contract and..

34 replies

Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:20

Only statutory allowances for sick and maternity pay, very low pension contribution, £28,000 a year for 37 hours. Does this sound like a good deal?

It's the lack of sick/maternity pay etc. Which concern me.

OP posts:
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PurpleDragon19 · 07/03/2025 22:35

I work for a company like this, I have income protection cover that kicks in after 30 days if I get sick. Maternity leave was a struggle as it was during Covid and my husband couldn’t work (self employed) so ended up on universal credit, but we got through it!

Even jobs I have had in the private sector have only been 10 days sick pay per year, so I think it’s very rare to be close to public sector levels.

There are ways to make it work, saving more before a family etc. Is this the only reason you are thinking of going back to your old job or are there other things too?

FavouriteFilms · 07/03/2025 22:15

I think the sick pay is bad, and if I were you I would try and renegotiate that.

In my current team, I have paid sick pay, but know that some of the others on older contracts have statutory sick pay.

Try and negotiate this.

Labraradabrador · 07/03/2025 22:14

You started a job without a signed contract?

ThisHangryTiger · 07/03/2025 22:07

I'm in the private sector and in the different companies I've been in, maternity pay was SMP and sick was generally SSP. The company I'm in now is good, but I feel you can't rock up to the interview and ask what the maternity pay is. Feel it would put employers off, even though you should be allowed to ask.

ihith · 07/03/2025 22:01

@ItsStillWork I expect to be paid if I'm unwell. I am an excellent employee and my employer is lucky to have me. I wouldn't be there if the policies were shit. Most of my colleagues are excellent, not all, but most.

Know. Your. Worth.

Gumptionesque · 07/03/2025 21:59

ItsStillWork · 07/03/2025 21:57

I’ve never expected to be paid if I were sick.

the problem with employer sickness benefits is that people take the piss with them, the council have a very generous sick pay policy and they’re constantly dealing with staff off sick.

i wouldn’t expect to be paid if I couldn’t work, how are companies expected to survive if they’re expected to pay a very good wage, very good maternity leave, very generous sick pay and good pension contributions??!!

crazy!

By attracting the best people with their generous benefits packages.

ItsStillWork · 07/03/2025 21:57

I’ve never expected to be paid if I were sick.

the problem with employer sickness benefits is that people take the piss with them, the council have a very generous sick pay policy and they’re constantly dealing with staff off sick.

i wouldn’t expect to be paid if I couldn’t work, how are companies expected to survive if they’re expected to pay a very good wage, very good maternity leave, very generous sick pay and good pension contributions??!!

crazy!

MightyDandelion · 07/03/2025 21:55

If you’re planning children, leaving the CS with the maternity pay and sickness benefits is short sighted. It’s not like you’re leaving for a bundle of money.

Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:50

Wondering if it'd be worth me getting critical illness cover, to make up the shortfall of no sick pay?

OP posts:
Crazybaby123 · 07/03/2025 21:47

No, the benefits are rubbish. Go back to xivil service. Add the cost of benefits and pebsion contribution to your salary to work out total packages. Ask before you join anywhere what the benefits are, or resesrch them on glassdoor website. You will be ok right now with this job but it offers you no security. If I am working for shareholders and fat cats for pittence then I at least want to know I can survive if I had to take extended sick pay and at least my retirement will be worth all those years I put in.

ihith · 07/03/2025 21:45

@Pigsears I mean that's happened once in like 20 years so I hope those who are annoyed didn't spend too much time thinking about it...

PrimalLass · 07/03/2025 21:45

I wouldn't leave the civil service for that. I'm trying to get in!

Pigsears · 07/03/2025 21:42

It's easy to see why people on the terms this job is on, get annoyed when civil service employees get a salary increase of somewhere around 5%... and complain.

ihith · 07/03/2025 21:41

I'd like a family in the next couple of years, and atm I don't have the savings available if I were to get sick or to go on a longer maternity leave.I was stupid to take this job. It's only been a fortnight so I'll leave now and go back before I waste any more of their time

What grade are you in the CS? I'd get a mentor and plan your promotion, it's possible to plan a (relatively) lucrative career in the CS.

Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:38

Pigsears · 07/03/2025 21:36

If you have moved out of civil service you are in for a shock.

3% employer and 5% employee is the statutory minimum pension.

Possibly no annual pay increases, bare bones annual leave, can be 'let go' for pretty much anything before 2 years etc etc

Is it a good deal? Depends on what your alternatives are.

I've decided to go back to my old CS role (fortunately this is an option)
I have recently bought a home and so don't currently have savings. I live alone, have a boyfriend but we don't yet live together and he's self employed.
So if I were long term sick I'd be screwed tbh.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/03/2025 21:38

Not that unusual tbh.

Pigsears · 07/03/2025 21:36

If you have moved out of civil service you are in for a shock.

3% employer and 5% employee is the statutory minimum pension.

Possibly no annual pay increases, bare bones annual leave, can be 'let go' for pretty much anything before 2 years etc etc

Is it a good deal? Depends on what your alternatives are.

Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:34

ihith · 07/03/2025 21:32

I've been public sector pretty much all my career and it blew my mind when I (recently, embarrassingly) found out sick leave wasn't paid everywhere.

I think it depends on your career goals, does this job get you somewhere? Do you have a plan? It sounds like you don't need to imminently worry about the whole package, but if you want to strive for more, you need to plan it.

I'd like a family in the next couple of years, and atm I don't have the savings available if I were to get sick or to go on a longer maternity leave.
I was stupid to take this job. It's only been a fortnight so I'll leave now and go back before I waste any more of their time.

OP posts:
ihith · 07/03/2025 21:32

I've been public sector pretty much all my career and it blew my mind when I (recently, embarrassingly) found out sick leave wasn't paid everywhere.

I think it depends on your career goals, does this job get you somewhere? Do you have a plan? It sounds like you don't need to imminently worry about the whole package, but if you want to strive for more, you need to plan it.

Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:29

Sick pay is shocking in this country. I've no idea how people with long-term illnesses manage, it's really not fair. They're unwell as it is without the added stress of no money coming in.

OP posts:
BunsenBurnerBaby · 07/03/2025 21:27

Civil Service level of benefits not found in the private sector on the whole

Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:27

It is my fault for not finding out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Addictedtofizzydrinks34 · 07/03/2025 21:26

BunsenBurnerBaby · 07/03/2025 21:25

What have you had before? Have you changed industries? (Just come out of public sector?) Where does the job take you?

I've just come out of the Civil Service which obviously has these benefits, but thinking to go back (it is an option)
The raises would be performance based yearly.

OP posts:
Onabench · 07/03/2025 21:25

That's very poor but as above, may depend on the job. Always find these things out first