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Original poster

Shocking maternity allowance

60 replies

butterflyblues · 06/01/2013 20:43

Hi everyone, just a rant really and wanted some feedback as to how everyone else copes.

I am newly pregnant and work for a children's charity. I've just read their maternity policy and am really shocked to find that they only offer ten weeks at full pay, after which it is the basic rate of £135 pounds a week for the rest of the 39 weeks.

I know that many people receive less or nothing, so I'm not being spoilt - but I am shocked that a children's charity, of all places, would expect a new mother to return to work after two and a half months! I am struggling to understand how I would breastfeed / look after the baby etc, and worrying about how we are going to cope.

My husband-to-be is currently waiting for a visa and not in work at the moment and the drop in pay would mean we'd have to move out of our rented flat. He won't be able to claim benefits even once he is able to work. We'd barely have anything to live on so I'd have no choice but to return after two and a half months - which makes me upset to think I won't have more time with the baby, and upset to wonder how to work out looking after it etc etc.

Anyway, moan moan! Any advice, feedback appreciated - what maternity package do you get, and are there any additional benefits we can claim? Seems like we should all move to a Nordic country!

Best x

OP posts:
CitizenOscar · 06/01/2013 21:23

It probably does feel harsh but it really isn't unusual. I work for a charity too & that sounds similar to our policy (it varies according to length of service).

If you don't have savings & your DH can't work or claim benefits then it probably will be really tough and you may have to go back to work before you'd like to. I'd advise you to really sit down & look at your finances and work out how long you could afford to be off (check out any benefits or tax credits you might be entitled to - don't forget child benefit, it's not loads but it all helps). Then plan around that.

In lots of countries it's really normal to return to work at 8 weeks. I think it's really tough but it's just the reality I'm afraid. Sounds like you've come down to earth with a bump (if you'll pardon the pun).

FiveGoMadInDorset · 06/01/2013 21:24

Not harsh at all, just telling you how it is.

GotMyGoat · 06/01/2013 21:27

I think we are trying to be supportive? We all know it's not easy, it's just reality.

HelenLynn · 06/01/2013 21:28

Sadly that is fairly generous (I think I got six weeks at 90% and 33 at the standard SMP rate), and I agree with your observation about Nordic countries; a Swedish former colleague was baffled to learn how things are over here. Still, here we are. Is there any manageable middle ground between going back after ten weeks and taking your full maternity leave? There is a big difference between a two-and-a-half-month-old and a four- or five-month-old, for example. Or can you go back part-time at first? Again, big difference between having three days with your baby and four at work, and having just the weekend off and the full working week on. It sounds as though your next step is to work out what benefits you'll be entitled to and do some sums. Bear in mind that you might not be able to work right up until your due date and so might end up using some of your mat leave before you have the baby, although if your job isn't strenuous and you're in good health at the moment then you've got a good chance. Good luck with it all.

flowerytaleofNewYork · 06/01/2013 21:29

Why are you so shocked, what did you think you'd get?

Why on earth do you think they expect you to go back to work at 2.5 months? Some people do, obviously, but not many so it would be strange if they thought that.

PickledInAPearTree · 06/01/2013 21:30

To be fair the financial side can seem daunting.

In your position where your partner cannot work the only real solution as you say is you going back, even so the baby can stay with its dad so you will save a lot of money on child care.

Maybe you can have a spell at home when his visa comes through and he can work..

It's all worth it though!

LIZS · 06/01/2013 21:31

Flowery, I think that was assumed based on being paid 100% for 10 weeks.

AmandaPayne · 06/01/2013 21:33

Assuming the pregnancy was planned (if it was a surprise, I can understand a little more), I don't quite understand why you have just read the policy now you are pregnant?

This type of thread comes up really frequently. It's hard, I do appreciate that. But it's reality. We are a lot better off than some countries - such as the US. Many people have skewed expectations of maternity packages from some advertised generous packages, but a lot of employers only offer statutory.

Can your partner be a stay at home carer when you return to work? Can you save at all now? Could you afford to put in a request to return part time for a while?

PickledInAPearTree · 06/01/2013 21:33

Flowery - she has to as her dh is not working nor eligible for benefits.

So it's more circumstance than the employers fault to be fair.

AmandaPayne · 06/01/2013 21:35

I think Flowery was pointing out that the majority of women take longer maternity leave than they get enhanced pay. So just because the charity pay 10 weeks doesn't mean the OP can leap to say that they expect people to return after 10 weeks. It is just that her circumstances mean she will need to.

tethersend · 06/01/2013 21:36

I got 4 weeks' full pay and I'm a teacher.

It's shit. The OP's ten weeks is shit.

Am glad that leave can now be split between partners, but it's still shit.

I know it's better than some other places (the USA springs to mind), but it's still shit.

Can you tell I go back to work from ML tomorrow? Grin

flowerytaleofNewYork · 06/01/2013 21:38

I see.

Well people who manage to have their entire maternity leave funded on full pay are rare and incredibly lucky OP.

Do you genuinely think your employer are meaning you to only take 10 weeks because that's the period of full pay they are offering? I can't imagine you do.

Your employer is offering a generous package but it is strange you are so shocked. Have they changed their maternity package recently, or have you been misinformed previously?

flowerytaleofNewYork · 06/01/2013 21:41

Pickled yes it is her circumstances and it seems she may need to return earlier than she would like.

But it's not really on to complain about her employer being so unreasonable as to expect new mothers to be back at the grindstone so soon when that's not the case at all.

PickledInAPearTree · 06/01/2013 21:41

Yes it is all shit!

However shitty shit my pay is though its more than ill get when I can work again after paying two lots of childcare fees (buries head in sand!)

shartsi · 06/01/2013 21:42

Do your research before you claim any benefits. Your husband's visa or future applications to remain in the UK will be jeopardised if you claim public funds. Make sure your husband is entitled to public funds on his visa, i do not think he is. For example housing benefit is claimed as a couple and if your husband claims this, his future visa applications will be rejected. He is supposed to demonstrate that he can live in the UK without relying on public funds.

PickledInAPearTree · 06/01/2013 21:44

Yes that's true flowery. That's what I was really trying to say maybe a bit badly!

Booyhoo · 06/01/2013 21:46

erm, what sort of maternity package did you expect OP? Confused

10 weeks of full pay is bloody good in my book!

Booyhoo · 06/01/2013 21:47

and i agree with others, with such a low income and zero earning potential for your DP you really should have worked out whether you could afford to have a baby right now.

mercibucket · 06/01/2013 21:48

I only had 3 months then nothing at all :( and no entitlement to any more time off either. At least you can take up to 12 months if you can afford to.
Not sure if that will help you feel better, but that's how it was just over 10 years ago. Not that distant past. I expect we will be returning to those days sooner rather than later

ILoveTIFFANY · 06/01/2013 21:48

shartsi so o can't claim housing benefit cos she's married to someone whose got no recourse to public funds? She can't claim for just her? Interesting if so...

TheSecondComing · 06/01/2013 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Booyhoo · 06/01/2013 21:53

she's not married yet ILT so that may affect what she can claim although i dont know if that's teh case.

shartsi · 06/01/2013 21:54

They can claim housing benefit if they wish and it will be given, however the border agency is likely to refuse to extend his visa for this reason. They need to research more on this, or they can worry about it when the time comes.

AmandaPayne · 06/01/2013 21:57

TSC - I don't think so. There was a very recent similar thread (which I can't currently locate) without that aspect which went much the same way.

PickledInAPearTree · 06/01/2013 22:01

I'm not. It's a rubbish state of affairs but if he can't claim anything or work I can't see what other option there is but for her to go back earlier.

That's what I would do but hopefully you can work things around when his visa comes through perhaps both work part time?

I'm doing some maths now about dc2 and its scary..