To think I’ve done nothing wrong?

[YouDoYou18]

Background - Currently on Maternity leave for my DD, 29 weeks pregnant so will be going onto another Maternity leave straight after

I was talking to a close friend yesterday about how my work has sent over the details for the reward day this year and how I’m sad to be missing it as it sounds really good, she replied with it’s very nice of them to offer considering you won’t be working for them and I simply said they probably do just because I’m still employed, even while on maternity leave.

The reply I got was Eh? You didn’t go back after maternity leave. To which I responded that I’m still on maternity leave and will be rolling into another maternity leave but still employed. The response I got was Fucking hell you work for a fucking good company as I had to be back a year before I could have another baby. I said it was illegal to not allow someone a second maternity leave, it’s just that you have to claim maternity allowance instead of SMP.

She then started questioning what the point in me even being employed was, to which I said holiday, continuous employment on my cv and the ability to go back, at which point she informed me that ‘it’s no surprise you’re not entitled to any benefits’. And has now completely stopped talking to me.

Somewhere in the conversation I appear to have pissed her off but I have no clue when?? I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong in keeping my job, and I’ve not been declaring that I should be entitled to benefits, I’ve just recently been worrying about not being able to get any help with childcare when I do get back.. AIBU?

Dont companies claim back smp from the gov anyway?

@Jaxhog

I don’t see how it would? They claim back 92% of the maternity pay if they’re a big business, and 103% if they’re a small business. The second lot of maternity pay doesn’t come from them at all, it comes directly from the government.

What do they pay for the second leave? Please can someone explain?

If a business cannot pay its employees properly and afford them their rights (such as maternity leave) without going bankrupt then that is not a sustainable business

You are more than a little cheeky. Do you have any idea how much this will cost your employer?!! My husband had a small business and this happened to us. Suffice to say that when the second period of maternity leave ended, the girl didn't return to work. Small firms cannot always afford this.

What did he pay for the second period of leave

Sounds like a lucky escape for her percheron

It’s not the OP who’s not ‘helping women’ it’s sexist attitudes and jealousy. What’s 2 years out of 45/50 working years? How shortsighted can you be?

If everyone stopped daring to have babies, or god forbid two babies while being employed, who’s going to look after the older generations? Doctors, nurses, gas engineers, pharmacists, bus drivers, supermarket workers etc etc etc?

Women should not be help accountable for shit employers not running their businesses properly.

I mean technically you’ve not done anything wrong and there’s nothing they can do but having said that, I’d be a bit miffed if I were your employer or colleague.
I can see why employers would favour giving a job to a man as opposed to a woman when I read threads like this.

Legally it's probably fine.

However, the fact that it's possible to remain employed and keep things like company cars and holiday pay while going from one maternity leave to the next without returning in between is a total pisstake. Keeping employers hanging on for 2, 3, 4 years while they're never quite sure when you're coming back, or if you're coming back.

The 1950s called. They wanted their opinions back.

Can anyone explain what they're required to pay for the second leave?

Oh and on the "it looks good on my CV thing" - you could have a woman apply for a job saying she has been in her previous role for 5 years. So you assume 5 years' experience in doing the job on a day to day basis because you're a good recruiter and know not to ask about children and potentially discriminatory issues.

But then it transpires that actually she has 1 year experience actually doing the job, because the rest of it she's been on maternity leave.

Let's assume that's balanced out by the general discrimination women of child bearing age face in the workplace an dit might help to even the playing field.

Hmmm more like the modern world called, and they want bloody basic common sense back.

😂😂😂

stealth nothing i dont think, op said you claim mat allowance for the 2nd one. I think they can offer an enhanced package if they want to

But people are complaining about paying. I want to know from them, what that is

Why is it common sense?

Common sense to be massively sexist and admit that they understand why its ok to discriminate against women?

Theres no common sense in that.

@PutTheBassInYourWalk

There is certainly the chance of career progression but that will involve moving location if staying in the same department or moving department if staying in the same location. Money wise it is a very large company with a structured pay so no room for manoeuvre. I think added into the resentment is the knowledge that everyone knows this is likely to happen another 3 times, the person doesn't have any ambitions to progress within the company, never wants overtime, literally just wants her set hours (it's p/t) as family fun money and this takes priority over other employees who are more flexible and more ambitious.

continuous employment on my cv
Continuous employment but 2 years not actually working with no return to work between maternity leave periods

@jennymanara so you think the government aren't capable of raising the retirement age again in the next 10, 20, 30 years? You think no one starts working full time until they are 21 these days? I started working full time at 17 and as it stands I should be able to retire at 70 but let's face it the goal posts will most definitely move before then!! in the industry I worked we employed many students working every hour they could to make ends meet so in actual fact these women will end up working longer than you!
Maternity leave is good in this country but it is by no means the best in the world but the majority of women work hard for the majority of their lives so they deserve everyday and penny of it!

Agree with a pp that combining two lots of leave is actually better operationally, rather than lots of chopping and changing.
I’m childfree but am fully supportive of women’s and men’s rights to take leave, they are raising the next generation of our society. It is horrendous that employers still discriminate and also make assumptions about the intentions of all women, whilst men often seem to get away scot free despite child raising being a joint enterprise.

jennymanara Sat 13-Jul-19 12:49:44
And lets be real, most employers will not be employing 70 year olds.Whatever the government says, it won't happen.

70 year olds still working in 2047 won't be any different to 67 year olds still working now.

If even women blame/get angry/criticise other women for taking maternity leave then we've really got no hope.

This!

Legally you are fine but as many posters have pointed out, the idea of being employed whilst not actually working for 2 years is something that doesn't sit well with many people. The fact that many employers will still have to progress you up the pay spine etc even though you haven't got the actual experience, the fact that they are still obliged to keep you updated about promotion opportunities , the fact that it counts to continuous service when it is anything but are all things that impact on employers and colleagues.

Having children is a choice that people make out of self interest, not for the greater good. The OP has acted in an entirely selfish way as is her right, but as she has found out some people will judge her negatively for that.