What maternity package are you getting?

[MrsLister]

I've just heard on the work grapevine that our maternity package at work has been 'changed' recently and isn't as 'generous' as it used to be (I think you got minimum 2 months full pay if you'd been there a year, increased exponentially the longer you'd been there, then onto SMP)

I'm a bit pissed off because I havent been informed of these changes to the policy so have been assuming I would get the above (which is what i was told I'd get when I was pregnant last year - had a MMC)

Anyway - just wondering what kind of package you were getting? And are there any of you that work for companies who only pay SMP?

I work full time for a media agency and have been here 5 years

Thanks!

My current company does offer quite a good package - 6 months full pay then 3 months SMP

Previous companies I works in only offer 6 weeks full pay then 33 weeks SMP

So I think it's a good time for me to have a baby!

I work for the NHS in a Foundation Trust hospital, I'm 20 weeks into 8wks full pay, 18 wks half pay + SMP, I'm going back at this point (in 6 weeks, eek!), but would then get 12 weeks SMP then 12 weeks unpaid. If you decide how long you want off before going on leave, payroll average out your wages so you get the same amount each month and aren't suddenly skint!

I get 3 months full then 3 months half, then smp for rest of year. Probably a bit better than average, once you factor in all the paid holidays (33 days).

6 weeks at 90% pay
12 weeks at 50% pay
then SMP

I'm going back before I go onto SMP as can't afford to live on that, but someone has told me SMP can be transferred to dh, I'll have to look into that though

Standard 6 weeks at 90% and 33 weeks SMP for me :(

10 weeks full pay, 8 weeks half pay and SMP for 21 weeks (financial services). But most of my friends / ante-natal group get 6 months full pay and then SMP for 13 weeks. They work in a mix of banks, law firms, large corporates.

I work for an American company so only got the very basic 6 wks at 90% then SMP
My boss did (as an ad hoc extra) match the amount of holiday I took with fully paid leave. Had been there 2 years the first time

Used to work for Eon and would have got 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay!
(Pay was about a quarter of what I get now though)

6 weeks full pay
12 weeks 75% of of pay

Then SMP

But I was working from home the day after giving birth and have been ever since. From DS being 10 weeks I have also been in the office 1 day a week and will be back full time in April

i get to pay for my own locum and have a max of 6 months off. The PCT may reimbuse some of the locum costs but if they don't I shall be on negative pay as a locum will cost far more than I take home each month. Only saving grace is that if I am not earning there will be no tax to pay

I'm on a rolling contract paying my own tax but have been at the same company for two years. Because I pay my own tax I only get Maternity Allowance and they have no obligation to give keep my job open for me. The joys of working for a huge international media company.

I worked for a riding school as a qualifed instructor.

I got SMP (which is 90% pay for 6 weeks then £120 a week after that)

In a way I was really relieved that my employer only offered the legal minimum because when I decided not to go back (mainly due to the fact that they were a bunch of cliquey bitches who constantly screwed their staff over a barrel) I was able to walk away immediately owing them nothing.

I think a lot of employers who offer over the legal minimum maternity pay put caveats in their contacts that the additional money will have the be paid back if the mother decides not to return to work. To be fair though they have a legal responsiblity to keep the position free for her to return to, it is only reasonable they should be able to recoup some costs if she changes her mind. I do think the employer/employee relationship works both ways.

Basic 6 weeks at 90% them SMP. Bastards.

Very decent terms from my company: 18 weeks full pay, 8 weeks half pay, and then SMP.

I was very lucky - got 6 months full pay then 3 months SMP. I also work in HR and know from other companies I have worked in this is on the very generous side. For those who are mentioning about having to pay money back, In my experience ( from a while ago as SAHM now), it is rare that a company would actualy claw the money back- how would they ACtualy do this in practice- if no longer paying you they would have to take you to court and sure you and i doubt many woud go to the bother of doing that for a ( to them) small amount of money. I am not saying you should do this, or even that this is 100% guaranteed but someone to consider :)

26 weeks full pay, 13 weeks SMP, 13 weeks unpaid

I'm getting:

13 weeks full pay
13 weeks 50% pay
13 weeks SMP (lower rate)
13 weeks unpaid

Like previous posters I was working a lot of overtime in my qualifying weeks so I've ended up with more money than my basic wages I work for a small independent company who are generally very good with staff / wages. Sadly I think this might be changing due to funding cuts.

I know a friend of mine who works for the NHS is getting 6 months full pay, then 6 months 50%, but she has to return to work or repay money, whereas I don't.

This thread is making me realise that I'm generally pretty lucky with my mat leave.

NHS dentist
6 months full pay (average monthly earnings)
6 months nothing
Plus 39 weeks maternity allowance as self employed
Must return to work somewhere in NHS or pay it back ( this can include a few sessions out of hours etc)
I think it is pretty generous

I work for the local council and because of miss communication on their part my start date was delayed for 3 weeks i got pregnant a week before i officially started therefor i now get nothing from them and have to claim MA from jobcentre :(

I work for v large well known company at a ho & due to long service got 90% 14 weeks then smp
But I do think people should stop being about others pay as (if uk) we are so so lucky to be able to have time off and jobs protected- better than pretty much rest of world- which I only appreciated when talking to friends in USA (3 months total most places 8 weeks), Dubai (doesn't really exist, if you're an expat might get some) Hk (10 weeks) and oz (bout 6 months)- and that's time off not nec paid time off!

Royal Mail:

26wks at full pay.
Then SMP till the unpaid bit kicks in

I don't have to return after the 26 wks either. It has been increased in the last year as it used to be 18wks full pay

i work for a large company
3 months 90% pay
3 months 50% pay
6 months SMP

I have to go back for at least a month or I have to pay back the money

I got 6 months full pay, then 3 months SMP. No strings attached at all.