Employer refusing to pay childcare vouchers during SMP

[EllasMummy09]

Hi

I hope someone can help me..

If I understand correctly the law regarding Maternity leave benefits changed in 2008. (Amendments made in 2008 to the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA). One of the changes being that the value of the vouchers can only be deducted from my maternity pay providing the actual amount of pay does not fall below statutory maternity pay. Which would mean that my employer need to pay the vouchers while I'm receiving only SMP or have no pay at all.

Is this right?

I have asked about this and my employer is refusing to make any contribution to towards Child Care Vouchers whilst I'm on maternity leave. Has anyone been in this situation before and what was the outcome?

Thanks!

Just objecting to the casual sexism in the phrase "we women expect our childcare"

I have never posted on any blog before. Your post has annoyed me so much I just felt that I have to respond..

Your point about paid holiday whilst on maternity leave - May I point out that while on maternity leave you are NOT paid, so therefore you are not paid for holiday either!! however when not on maternity leave you ARE paid for holiday - why shouldn't we receive paid holiday the same as every other employee, if we were not on maternity leave we would have been paid for not being there!

Also your point about being grabby! Ok, why don't we all turn down the SMP as the country can't afford to pay benefits....don't fault the people claiming what they are entitled to - fault the system/guidance which allows this entitlement. To be honest there are very few things that we are entitled to unless the company enhances the package.

Yes it does sound too good to be true and yes maybe the guidance doesn't make sense to you, but don't fault people who have worked incredibly hard for pointing out to their employees what you believe you are entitled too. Employers would be the first to take rights away if the laws changed and no one will get a medal or probably get any credit whatsoever for thinking of the company and declining this entitlement.