maternity pay - frustrated and upset

[Bumpngrind85]

Apologies in advance for my pregnancy rage but I've been crying all morning and genuinely feel upset about what I have been offered. My situation is that i have been working for the same company for 5 years and for various reasons (that I wont go into) I know they value my very highly. I have fallen pregnant (currently 22 weeks) and asked for a copy of maternity policy - they didn't have one. My Director then said "Before we give you the policy, how long do you want off?" I was honestly thinking they would be fairly generous with the package and said 6 months max - because I didn't want to take the Michael. I have chased this up and been told they offer stat maternity pay. Whilst I understand this is what many women get I am a little dissapointed due to my own personal work circumstances and what the company expect me to do for them in the future. I'm thinking that they will presume I will want to go back to work asap now to claim my usually high wage - but now I know it's just stat pay and that my employer will get this back from Government i'm more inclined to take the full year. My husband and I will be fairly tight for a full year on stat pay but i'm thinking if work aren't paying for it I should take advantage of time with my baby. I'd be interested to hear how everyone else fairs in the maternity pay/leave situation....

If you are really really honest with yourself did you care about your company's maternity policy before you got pregnant? Did you negotiate it into your employment contract when you started or lobby for enhanced maternity pay for all the women in your organisation? Because if you didn't I don't really see how you have any right to feel hard done by now.

I'm afraid SMP is the reality for most women and some aren't even entitled up that. Maternity allowance is less than SMP.

Take a few days to let it settle, and consider. It sounds as though you have a great job that you love and are typically well rewarded for. A lot of people can't say that. I wouldn't sour a good work situation over this, SMP is the default and probably the easiest policy for them to implement, so it could very well just be that. I wouldn't take longer just to spite them unless it's really what you want.

ik8 of you read my subsequent posts you will see that I was told I wouldn't conceive without an operation so this was not a planned event. If I had been planning on having a baby I would have saved for it. You will also see from other posts that I know a lot of women only recieve smp- that's not where my gripe lies. I don't even have a contract at work, no HR etc. The company is unusual on the fact that there is only about 10 members of staff but finically one if the biggest I know of. They employed a member of staff in Jan to fill my position ( I gave them 4 months notice as my father was ill and wanted to help my mother care for him) and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse - part of that was to work from home. They still have that member of staff and could use her when I'm on ML. They will not need to hire another member of staff and have subsequently asked if they can contact me throughout ML. It's my personal circumstances that have led to my upset over this.

Just to clarify, I wouldn't be taking a year to spite them. I genuinely would have liked to take a year to get used to being a mum. The only reason I said 6 months initially is could I felt bad if it was coming out of their pocket. I guess I just need to let it settle for a few days before making any rash desicions.

Apologies for spelling errors in my posts - I am typing far too quickly on my phone.

I read it and didn't see how it was relevant. I'm sorry you feel this way but I disagree with your attitude on this particular issue.

I also got pregnant unexpectedly with my first. I saved like mad while pregnant and cut back on lots of things that perhaps many feel are non-negotiables. I'm not sure how that's relevant to anything either!

From you subsequent post it seems that your employer has been very accommodating to you which suggest they value you greatly. I think you are mistaken to feel hard done by about this issue. That doesn't mean i don't think you should ask if they would consider introducing occupational maternity pay for all women in your organisation or those with a minimum level of service.

I hope you feel a bit better and that a company policy that you never gave a moment's thought to previously does not have any bearing on your value to the organisation.

My point is that I didn't give any bearing to it because I didn't think I could have children. Anyway, will give it some thought over the next few days.

Ok well put it this way: did/do you value your female colleagues less because if they were to take maternity leave they would only get SMP?

bump ignore the harsh comments here. I think it's wise to let it sink in a bit before making your decision. In the end I believe you should do what's the best for your baby and family. I went back at 7 mo last time but regretted it. I'm taking a year this time. I was naive about how young a 7mo is. I thought if they start weaning at 6mo they would be eating mostly solids by 7mo! As it turned out DD was still mainly on breast milk, just started sitting up a week before I returned to work. And then a week later caught bronchiolitis and ended up in hospital for a week. I felt I really left her at nursery far too early. I'm sure if she stayed at home with DH or a nanny at 7mo it would have been better. Many mums I know return at 9mo when the paid portion of SMP runs out.

I know you won't take a year out of spite. But do consider what is best for you. Given your medical problem, it's most likely this will be your only child? As for affording it, try looking at where you can cut. The mortgage would probably hardest but maybe you can have a mortgage holiday?

I'm sure it's a shock for you. Most of us have taken time to plan.

Having read your subsequent posts, I feel you should probably have a conversation with your manager about this. It sounds like the company aren't sure what they want either.

Point out that you value the working relationship and want to return to work. Explain that you feel valued and respected normally but that you're surprised they will only offer legal minimum.

I think the saving for maternity assumes you're already set up for a family- right sized house in the right condition, family car etc. Many people use the opportunity of having 2 full salaries and no childcare during pregnancy to purchase these things.

I am very very lucky- 19weeks full pay then SMP. I hadn't realised this when I joined (how badly would that query go down prior to employment???) but it did keep me there whilst we were TTc even though I had moments of being very fed up and wanting to leave

Thanks again for your advice. It's certainly not about me being ungrateful as I'm grateful everyday for that job and my employer knows that onelittletoddleterror your comments are very much appreciated and just saved me from another bout or irrational tears. I do appreciate all opinions and that is why I posted. However, my emotions are running quite high and don't want an argument with others.

Sorry if it came across as harsh, I really just meant take a few days and then see, I often act on hurt feelings but professionally it's not a great idea. In sure you'll work it out and congrats on the baby!

Didn't mean you gen35 I appreciate your comments and take them on board : ) x

Not surprised you're emotional - it's pretty hard not to be about something that feels like an evaluation (but isn't).

TBH, from what you said earlier about your employer not really knowing what statutory pay is, they probably don't have a clue it's that low and have just gone for the default.

One point raised earlier in the thread that I wanted to correct: it's not actually true that an employer has to offer the same enhanced package to all employees. They can enhance mat pay on a discretionary case by case basis, rather than making it contractual. I think it's probably something people aren't aware of, because if you do get it, you might get asked not to discuss with colleagues.

See if they will offer you a bonus to return to work before 12 months? It's quite common where I an to do that. I was fortunate, with DC1 was statuatory then they changed it and lots of women leaving to 3 months full, 3 months half pay which I got with DC2

I work for a large company and I only get SMP. However as I've been there so long I get an additional £1000 when my mat leave starts and also £500 when I return to work, neither of which are repayable if I leave. Would they consider something like that?

Phew! I agree with the most recent posts, I'd think skit trying to negotiate your package up for a 6 month return date. Every baby is different and so is each person's support network but babies can be easier to leave with cm/nursery/family than toddlers. Why don't you take the view that they need some leadership/advice from you in this area? Sounds like a small company but what's the general mat compensation in your industry?

Statutory maternity pay is pretty much the norm, big company or small company no matter how long you've been there or how valued you are. I worked for the biggest cosmetic brand in the world on a really crappy wage because I loved the job. I've made them millions and yet after 7 yrs of pretty much sacrificing my entire life for my job, I got only statuatory pay no negotiation. I also can't afford to go back!

Did I read right that you have no contract whatsoever? So nothing that states your salary, holiday entitlement, normal hours of work, notice period etc etc. That sounds a bit dangerous to me and while you seem very happy with the company I wouldn't want to leave myself open like this

I would give yourself a few days or a week to calm down and then use the starting point of having no contract as a way to include any maternity package into it. I thought everybody has at least some form of a basic work contract

You have no contract?? Sort that out before maternity. That is a BIG issue.

stat pay is pretty standard, so don't take it as a reflection of their opinion of you.
As well as holidays all benefits are payable while you are on leave. IF you therefore receive eg a car allowance in lieu of a company car, or contractual bonuses (in the absence of written contract, are there customary bonuses you get at year end/ Christmas? given that your employer is as clued up as you are, use that to your advantage) will be paid in full.

squizita - your post doesn't make sense. Just because you are the main breadwinner would make no difference to whether or not you could/should save and prepare before and during pregnancy?

op - I think you really need to be careful. I am hesitant about writing this given how emotional you are but your employer may well be re-evaluating your position in their company given you are now unexpectedly pg with no 1 and thinking (when they need you) in 2 years you might be planning - or again unexpectedly pg with - no 2. If you have no contract and there is nothing about the succession planning contracted or written you may well not be very well protected and they might have their eyes out for someone else. Please please seek legal advice now.

However, you could just read the situation that (in your words) the directors wouldn't pay sick pay if they didn't have to - well the reality is they don't have to pay anything other than smp so why would they? Will you be eligible for a bonus - you should get that whether you are on mat leave or not.

You are legally entitled to all bonuses and benefits while on maternity leave.