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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity Leave/Pay

53 replies

Staceyk · 21/09/2004 16:39

I know this is really personal question, and although most of you are quiet willing to discuss all the ins & outs of bodily functions, money is always a sensative subject! It's just I work for a company whos head office is in America, there is just myself and one other lady (director in name only) in the UK office, me and this other lady are extremely good friends. Anyway I have asked my Head office to give me something in writing about maternity pay (they are a dodgy lot!! My previous UK based company paid everyone 6 months full pay. I was just wondering what others have received? and how long you stayed off on maternity leave?

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Twiglett · 21/09/2004 16:40

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hana · 21/09/2004 16:42

depends on where you work really and the company policy. Entitlement in the UK is 52 weeks off, with 26 weeks at £100 per week. (someone will correct me I'm sure!)If you're working for a US company this is probably different! Not enough imo.

Twiglett · 21/09/2004 16:49

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Angharadkw · 21/09/2004 16:54

I am due to go on maternity leave in 3 weeks. I will get 12 weeks on full pay, and then 14 weeks at SMP (£100 ish). Plus the right to continue on Maternity leave for a further 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave (AML) (unpaid). This is because I have worked for the company for over 2 years, if I had worked for less I would get 6 weeks full pay, and then 20 weeks SMP. I am probably going to take the whole year off, as long as we can afford to.
Hope this helps. Good luck with the negotiation.

butwhatdoiknow · 21/09/2004 17:01

Statutory only. They hate women where I work.

burlychassis · 21/09/2004 17:03

hi. I'm getting the crappy statutory minimum despite working for a large multinational company (plus being made redundant but that's a whole other story)
the minimum the company must pay you by law is 6 weeks at 90% pay, then 20 weeks at SMP (which is £102.00 I think) a week. If you've been working for a certain amount of time - can't remember how much but it's not that long - you can then take a further 26 weeks unpaid. SMP is taxed unfortunately. Anything more than this is at your company's discretion. If you decide not to go back after the 52 weeks you can give your usual notice whilst on leave and you don't have to pay back SMP HOWEVER if your company has paid you more than the statutory minimum they could ask you to pay back the difference. When you tell the company you're pregnant they're supposed to write to you setting out what they're going to pay you and how.

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 17:07

At my co, i'll get 6 weeks @ 90 % then 20 weeks SMP @ £100 per week. Can then take an extra 26 weeks unpaid but only if you've worked at the co for over 2 years. I'm think i'm going to take at least 9, possibly 12 months off,depending how soon I start ML. All subject to tax sadly

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 17:09

sorry, crossed posts birlychassis

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 17:18

forgot to mention, I work for u.s company but obviously work in the uk

Distracted · 21/09/2004 17:22

Burlychassis is right that the statutory minimum is 90% for 6 weeks then 20 weeks at £102 per week. Don't think it matters that you are working for an American company as you are employed in the UK under UK law.

My company used to pay more than the statutory minimum and I had something like 10 weeks at full pay last time and then 8 weeks at 50% but I wasn't allowed to take more than 20 weeks after the birth and was then tied to the company for a year, otherwise had to pay it all back! Now that the law has changed and you HAVE to be paid for minimum 26 weeks we just get statutory pay.

My UK company was taken over by an American company and have now 'merged' terms and conditions which is why I think we no longer have enhanced maternity pay (still get UK statutory minimum though).

Bellie · 21/09/2004 17:53

Hi - I work for an US company based in the UK and as distracted said you should be employed under UK employment law.
I am getting 18 weeks at 90% and then 8 weeks at SMP (102.80 a week). I am then taking the 26 weeks AML unpaid.
Depending on your contract you may get paid any holiday during that OML period (I did and also got the bank holidays e.g Christmas etc that fall during the OML).

HTH

Brighteyes · 21/09/2004 18:40

Seems I've got a rather good deal.

6 weeks full pay.
12 weeks at 50% plus SMP
8 Weeks at SMP

I have to return to work for 3 months, but then I plan to leave.

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:21

4 weeks full pay
next 2 weeks 90% pay
next 12 weeks half pay
next 8 weeks SMP

Oooggs · 21/09/2004 19:23

6 months full pay, then 6 months no pay and then I am taking the leave I accrued during the paid maternity leave totally 14 months off

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 19:26

am jealous of all you lot on more than the statuatory. I've been at my co for almost 15 years and it seems like a pittance tho I have to say other perks are quite good

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:27

oooogs can i ask a question...i read somewhere about accruing leave as you are doing then sticking it on the end of maternity pay.....is this the same for all professiosn?

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 19:30

Popsycal. In my co, sorry you weren't asking me but.... I get continuous rights with regard to my pension even if I take the year but my holiday entitlement only accrues over 6 months and yes I think you can tag it on the end.

Oooggs · 21/09/2004 19:30

Where I work you can accrue leave when being paid, such as paid maternity (1st 6 months, same as if you were off sick for 3 months with a broken leg for example) So the leave I have accrued in the 6 months maternity at full time hours has been converted into part time hours for my returned which is why it equates to 2 months. Hopes this makes sense.

Oooggs · 21/09/2004 19:32

I am not sure this is the same for all. The people I work for have to set the example I could tag leave on the end or the begining of the mat. leave.

DelGirl · 21/09/2004 19:32

basically if you have say 30 days annual leave entitlement, you'll only get 15

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:33

dare i say it in the current MN situation, but I am a teacher.....who do you think it works for me?

Perhaps i will ring my union

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:36

hw do you tihkn it works even!

Oooggs · 21/09/2004 19:39

I would ring your Union. I do appriciate what benefits I have with regards to leave and mat.pay. I work for the government (a really nice department that would never be any bother to any of you) and they have to fall into government changes quickly and show to be following all guidelines.

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:41

I will do
I meant to look into this ages ago....maybe it applies but perhaps with a 'ceiling effect' on how much holiday you can accrue

Might have a ook at their website now

Tinker · 21/09/2004 19:48

Civil Service - 6 months full pay as well - this is relatively new though, only 3 months when I was off on maternity leave. About accrued leave; I did this last time, tagged 4 weeks on the end. But now I work term time and I asked ages ago whether I would be able to accrue the school holidays and add those on to the end of the maternity leave. Apparently, I can't. I'd simply get paid the full rate of pay instead. Don't know if this would apply to teachers as well - do teachers get leave?

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