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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder what job people do if they get good maternity pay?

224 replies

Aliveinwanderland · 31/08/2016 17:09

I have heard time and time again about women getting 6 months full pay, even a year full pay, for maternity leave!

What job do these women do??? Seriously I am tempted by a career change!

OP posts:
anotheronebitthedust · 31/08/2016 18:51

Civil service now, and my old job that was public sector but had civil service t&c (think similar to one of the Ombudsman offices): both full pay for 6 months, then SMP 13 weeks, then last 13 weeks unpaid. Except you also had 32+ annual leave days, plus bank holidays back if they'd occurred while you'd been off, plus up to 2 flexi days a month so if you calculated it right you ended up getting full pay for a lot of the "unpaid" 13 weeks too.

The associated benefits of public service jobs are often the only thing that counteracts having to service the general public.
(actually 95% of people are perfectly nice but, dear god, that 5%)

BikeRunSki · 31/08/2016 18:55

I knew a lady who worked (not st a particularly senior level, in branches, not head office or anything) for HSBC when I was on maternity leave. She got 12 months full pay. That was 8 years ago though, don't know if it is still that.

mirime · 31/08/2016 18:56

I work for a small charity. Six weeks full pay then half pay for the rest.

BettyOBarley · 31/08/2016 19:02

Local council

Im getting 90% pay for about 6 or 7 months something like that

TheNaze73 · 31/08/2016 19:03

Blue chip corporates can vary but, are generally superb

YelloDraw · 31/08/2016 19:05

NHS does good M pay

I work for one of the big 4 accountancy firms and get 4 months full pay.

Marmite27 · 31/08/2016 19:09

Gracey, sounds like we work for the same bank as I do. I'm in the more direct side though.

My brother tells me Amazon's package for maternity and paternity are good.

SandyY2K · 31/08/2016 19:11

Remember thst your entire career won't be spent on maternity leave and if you get 6 months full pay, but the job is low paying it really doesn't benefit you.

Teaching maternity pay is 2 weeks full pay, 4 weeks 90% pay, 12 weeks 50% pay and then smp. Not awful, but no-where near what I have heard others getting!

That's pretty good TBH.

Also remember it's not just about maternity pay, but other benefits. Teachers have the school holidays off and therefore no childcare expenses.

I work in HR and haven't seen 6 months full pay in any organisation I've worked for.

I'd rather be on £70k and have 6 weeks full pay, than be on £22k and have 6 months full maternity pay.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 31/08/2016 19:13

I always thought these companies were only available on dreams. The company I work for are stingy bastards even though they have shit tons of money only pay SMP

Evergreen17 · 31/08/2016 19:13

I get 5 months full pay
Public sector.

But of course my salary is crap. So you have to look at all aspects here

Evergreen17 · 31/08/2016 19:16

OP I earn half your salary and I will get 5 months full pay but obviously you win!

Mybugslife · 31/08/2016 19:17

I get 26 weeks full pay. I am a funeral director.

Marmite27 · 31/08/2016 19:18

BikeRunSki - I have a friend that works there too, the package went up recently from 13 weeks to 19. I don't think it's ever been 12 months full pay. Friend has had 30 years service award, so going back quite some time there.

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 31/08/2016 19:19

My job in local government = slightly over the bare minimum
My friend works for a quango and got a year's full pay Shock

Themoleandcrew · 31/08/2016 19:21

Tfl. 6 months full, then 13 weeks smp, 13 weeks unpaid. But I had 8 weeks of acrued a/l so took it during the year rather than after so only had 5 weeks unpaid but a full year off

FruitCider · 31/08/2016 19:21

Like London I worked for a charity and received 18 weeks full pay, 12 weeks half pay, and 9 weeks SMP (plus 10 agree KIT days

NHS employees receive 13 weeks full pay, 13 weeks half pay + SMP and 13 weeks SMP

NancyJoan · 31/08/2016 19:28

I got 6 months full, 3 months stat. in magazine publishing.

RubyWho · 31/08/2016 19:38

6weeks at 90%, 6mo SMP, after that you're on your own.

Load of bollocks. Good on all of you with better and more supportive packages!!

Pecena · 31/08/2016 19:39

they work in the civil service.

cuckooplusone · 31/08/2016 19:45

As pp said, big 4 accountancy firm, about 6 months full pay, having worked there a little while. The firms invest a lot in staff and want to retain women. Men also get good paternity. I would look in the longer term for what prospects there are and opportunities for flexible working and promotion too.

Carrados · 31/08/2016 19:46

Work in a university. 8 months full pay.

RubyWho · 31/08/2016 19:48

Sorry, meant to say. I work in HE

ohmygodyouguys · 31/08/2016 19:52

I work in customer service for a big supermarket. I haven't been on mat leave but I think I'd be entitled to 14 weeks full pay before going on to SMP.

Jiggeriepokerie · 31/08/2016 19:56

12 months full pay even though I told them I wasn't going back at the 3 month point. No pay back. Mid-sized family run law firm. 'Twas 17 years ago though.

No, I wasn't sleeping with the boss!

1Potato2 · 31/08/2016 19:59

There are 3 universities in the UK that offer 6 months full pay. I happen to be at one of them.