Job offer, am i entitled to know maternity leave policy now?

[nikosmum2010]

Hi NM

I have a job offer and I asked about maternity leave policy through the recruitment agent, but the response from the company was its only available once you join, on their intranet site. Am I not entitled to know it now?

Not an expert, but I would have thought it would form part of your terms of employment, which you are agreeing to if you accept an offer, therefore you should be able to see it before signing on the dotted line.

Unless its a public sector employer I would make the assumpution that is statatory only -
its the kind of things that you wouldn't normally get in the contract through - only in the intranet/staff handbook but I can't see what the problem is in you knowing in general terms what the policy is - maybe go back and ask do they or do they not pay above statatory

If its a big company do an internet search or speak to HR direct. I'd avoid going through the line manager as asking for the mat leave policy does sort of suggest your going to be on it soon! Rightly or wrongly that's probably not going to endear you to your new boss.

You're not 'entitled' to see it, no. And I agree with Grevling making a big deal of asking isn't going to endear you to anyone.

I would also say that if maternity policy is so crucial that you need to know it before you can accept their offer, perhaps the job isn 't for you? Something like what maternity pay is offered really shouldn't be a dealbreaker for a job applicant IMO.

Agree that if it were at pref rates they would details as part of the t&cs, so assume stat pay.

If however you have another job offer with better options it might be a way to get better rates if you think they think you're worth it.