What is your work's maternity policy?

[Butterflies12]

Hiya!
I work for a small, private, family company that has maybe 25 employees. Last week, my HR manager informed me that while they don't have a finalised maternity policy yet (or any policies or a staff handbook!) They will not be providing any maternity pay other than statutory maternity pay. She then told me that most companies don't offer any maternity pay and it was unusual if they did (she said only big companies like 500+ law firms do). In my experience of asking people I know, it is actually more unusual for companies not to provide any mat pay above statutory. So would anyone be willing to share what their company policy is so I can gain a wider picture? Thank you 💞

So she lied, 6 months full pay, 3 months stat, 10 remote KIT days, phased return to work + bonuses (from previous yr)+ salary increase as if you were on the job

previous job to qualify it was 40 weeks service to qualify (so basically if you got pregnant the week after you joined you’d be ok) current job 26 weeks service to qualify otherwise it’s smp

6 weeks full pay then SMP.

But what is worse is that I am being forced by HR to take all my remaining annual leave before I start maternity, I am only allowed to carry over 5 days. So having to finish work at 34 weeks (in 2 weeks time) despite feeling good and with lots of great project work on. V frustrating!

6 months full pay, 3 stat and 3 unpaid
Carry forward any leave days no cap
Optional 10 KIT days

@JacksonStreet with annual leave it's not so unusual...I'm due the end of August and my holiday period runs until the end of February so obviously will be on new holiday period when back. For me it's quite convenient actually I plan to go a month before so using up my holiday rather than starting maternity earlier. I haven't used any of my holiday so far and with 4 on 4 off I will still be able to use some of it even before that maybe in may, June as I'm on 4 on 4 off basis so it stretches a lot. Never knows I may need that if feeling unwell rather than calling sick which is rubbish money they often ask if I want it to be put as holiday. We normally are not allowed to carry holiday over even on managerial roles in my company as it could disrupt business if everyone did that.

Small family business, less than 50 employees and it’s just SMP

Small privately ran waste company. I am their only salesperson, SMP for all employees but I negotiated 9 months full pay as long as I check in on emails and answer texts if they need a hand. Which to be honest I have worked really hard to get us to 7m turnover so I wouldn't want it to go to the dogs without me there. People say you change when you have a baby, I'm sure I will too but right now can't handle the idea of being "off" for a day never mind 9 months

Thank you everyone, this is all incredibly helpful! I'm going to collate and add to examples of people I know to take to a meeting 😊