Maternity pay - how generous is your company?

[EvieBear]

Hi all, I was shocked today when I told HR and my boss that I was pregnant and they told me that they don't top up the statutory maternity pay at all. That means I will get 90% for 6 weeks and then the £117 for the rest of the time I have off. I was so upset by this, and wanted to ask you guys how common it is? I work for a US technology company who have done very well in recent times, and expected more than this from them.
What does everyone else get in terms of maternity pay?? I'm very interested to hear if this is common or not!

I got 6 months at full pay. But the company did go under last year....

No i get the same as you. Enjoy the six weeks money though.. i did lol

I actually got more than some of the lads did who were still working. Imcluding my DP who works at the same company doing the same job but at better pay, work that one out!!

I believe i got paid a lot because during the qualifying weeks, 15-20 i think..i hammered out the overtime and got 90% of the pay i got during those Q weeks.

We just get statutory as well. I must admit I didn't really expect to get more.

I actually think what is shocking is how little SMP is when you consider how much we pay in NI contributions.

Yep only SMP here too,

Its amazing at how much it differs from company to company!

Hmm... ok am starting to feel a little better. Still it's a shock to earn £117. I'm not on mega bucks or anything but you feel punished for being pregnant with that amount.

statutory

is that 117 a wk??please tell me it is...

Yes it's per week.

well, you aren't actually earning it are you.

I just get SMP. No more, no less.

I'm lucky - full pay for six months. But this was one of the reasons I took the job (which is not as well paid as other jobs I was offered at the same time).

4 months full pay then SMP

first preg, previous company full pay for six months, yay! second preg, new company 2 weeks full pay then SMP. Or it would be if I hadn't, ahem, got pregnant between signing the contract and starting work so it's absolutley nothing for me (though I think there is a benefit I can claim as I have been working for the past year..?)

6 months full pay, 3 months smp, 3 months unpaid. civil service.

Kingfix- you will be entitled to maternity allowance which is also £117 per week from the first week you're on mat leave.

smp, was also disappointed not to have a little more

I've just got SMP, but will qualify for 50% of 3 months wages if/when I return and complete 3 months work (so 3 months paid plus 50% on top IYSWIM)

SMP never expected more. The only people who I know personally who have had more are teachers

4 months full pay, 8 months SMP for me... but I work for a charity on a much lower wage than I would get in the private sector and there have to be some perks!

I got 8 weeks' full pay, 10 weeks' half pay and then SMP. I also get 2 weeks' pay as a bonus when I have been back for 6 months.

I am an employment lawyer and I think at least 50% of my clients, and most of the small ones, only pay statutory. It does sometimes vary within companies depending on how senior you are.

hiya

I get 6 weeks at 90% then up to 6 months I get SMP + occupational maternity pay which take me up to nearly my full wage then from 6 - 9 months I get SMP. As part of mat benefits I get time off for all ante-natal scans and aqua-natal classes

10 weeks full pay then SMP - financial services

12 months full pay but I don't tell many people that, my company was rated as best mat pay in uk... although company not doing well at moment so I think it will change very soon

I'm a teacher in an independent school (run by a charity) and I only got SMP. Had I been in a council run school I'd have got 3months fll pay, 3 months half pay and the rest SMP. Knew I should have read the small print