Maternity leave counting as employment?

[Peonydaydreamer]

At work I have just been given a bonus for 10 years employment. Everyone gets one after 10 years. I have had one year off in that time on maternity. After returning from maternity 3 years ago I have had a lot of passive aggressive comments made on a daily basis from one colleague. I do just smile and get on with my work but today it’s really got to me. Everyone said congratulations on the ten years and their comment was “I didn’t realise the company counted maternity leave too. I thought it was just active time worked” Aibu and just over thinking this? It’s just I can’t image the same comment being said to our manager who has also been off on maternity.

Of course it's still counted. Stupid people

Ignore these idiots

yes, maternity leave will be counted. It’s 10 years since you joined the company

I would have said “Of course it counts! Why wouldn’t it?!” Or like to think I would anyway. It absolutely counts.

God they must be obsessed with you for this to even occur to them. What an arsehole. Of course it counts.

Of course it's counted! It's an award for length of service and you were an employee during your maternity leave.

Have you considered raising a grievance about your colleague's comments? Perhaps they need some EDI training to help their poor attitude?

Arseholes, its not as if its coming out of their pockets, just ignore them

They must be quite bitter and jealous of you

‘Do you know your comments are extremely discriminatory?’ On repeat.

you’re still under employment.

they are being very silly showing their true colours.

continue to smile and do your thing

I'd just respond with, yes, maternity counts, as per the law.

If they didn't count it, it would be classed as maternity discrimination.

Of course you're still employed when you're on mat leave...otherwise you'd be able to do things like slag off your employer on social media without getting disciplined, claim unemployment benefits, work for a competitor etc.

Some people are petty and stupid

Make a complaint to your manager. They are not stopping and it has been THREE YEARS.

Thank you everyone, I don’t know why it got to me today but your comments have really helped.

I would say to the people 'speak to hr about rules and contracts not me please' and let your manager know you are being passively aggressively bullied for a protected characteristic (maternity) if it continues

Of course it counts, you are still employed!

Your colleague's an idiot.

That's all I have.

Congrats, it all counts obviously!

Isn't the answer simply well you thought wrong? Dont let it bother you

Your colleague sounds like a twat. Any company aware of the law will count maternity leave towards years of service, unless they want to be pulled up in front of a tribunal for discrimination on the grounds of sex.

I've worked for my employer for nearly 12 years now, that includes 2 periods of maternity leave. Bet your colleague would love that!

You are still employed just as someone off sick! Ignore!!

Maternity leave counts. You’ve been employed by the company for ten years. Just ignore the ignorant.

That's exactly what I was thinking
If they were going to deduct maternity leave and paternity, leave they'd then need to deduct sick leave and compassionate level.

It would all become a complete nonsense.

"Would you query that with HR directly should I because I'm more than happy to let them know you've actually asked me?"

Active employment? So weekends and annual leave don't count.

I'd be asking since when did we hire imbeciles but then, I'm a friend of my HR manager 🤣🧘🏼‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️

Of course it should! That said, I once had an awful boss who was horrible to my colleague with a toddler in lots of ways, one was belittling her length of service by saying one year was maternity leave.

Colleague also had flexible working written into her contract, did 4 days 8-4 not 9-5 and often came in early or worked through lunch so she could leave on time to get a specific train to pick up her son. Awful boss would almost every day make a big fuss of her going "oh wow it's 4 already it feels so early!" And once tried to stop her from leaving during a meeting that was running over by insisting on continuing to talk to her as colleague kept trying to make her excuses and go for the door (as agreed when meeting was booked).

People can be pricks but ignore them! As if one year even makes much of a difference out of 10 years' service, not that it matters but sounds like they're really grasping at straws trying to bring you down!

Next time they mention it I'd say ' it's been 3 years since my maternity, you need to move on'.

Loudly.

And make a game of it. Next time 'here we go, wondered when you'd pipe up' etc etc.

Or

Say, your constant belittling of me, and my maternity leave is missing me right off. One more comment and I'll raise a grievance.

'Wow what a strange thing to say out loud' is my go to with stupid comments like this.