Too early to ask about maternity leave?

[vincentaroony]

Me and DH are hoping to TTC later this year, and I'd really like to know the maternity leave policy in my job (i.e. if they offer any additional pay and how much) to help us plan when to start trying, and how much we'd need to save.

Problem is, HR keep this policy hidden and the contract, employee handbook etc all say you should contact HR 'if you think you are expecting' to discuss your options. I've only been in the job 3 weeks so I feel it's going to make me look really bad requesting this info! However I'm really keen to TTC ASAP, I changed jobs as I was miserable in the old one, it was a long commute and completely anti- anyone working part-time, whereas I wanted a job I can go back to after mat leave.

Do you think I should ask, or be patient? And if the latter, for how long?!

I would wait. As I don't think they would take kindly to taking on a new member of staff who could very possibly be off for nine months in the bear future.

In some company's you have to be there a certain time before you will receive MP

*near

don't ask hr this soon...

BUT as a new employee of course you are getting to know your colleagues. make sure you ask all the women (casually and in different convos) how long they have been working there, and whether they have kids. sooner or later you'll identify someone who has had mat-leave whilst working there, and will be able to discretely enquire what package they got.

HOWEVER any company that is that coy about their policy is almost certainly going to be offering statutory minimum only. So, you can avoid the detective work and just make your plans assuming statutory minimum and then if they do offer more it will be a nice surprise.

Whatever they say isn't going to stop you TTC is it? So don't worry about asking right now. Especially if you are working a trial period initially. Work out your finances based on the minimum (it's on the govt's website, sorry haven't got a link) and then if it turns out they offer more you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I would assume it is statutory minimum unless it is advertised elsewhere . That way anything extra is a bonus. Is there anything on the intranet for example?

I've always worked for larger organisations and I'm surprised that they keep this information hidden. You don't need to tell them you are pregnant until 25 weeks I think, quite late anyhow, and by hiding the policy they are preventing you planning, although, as a PP said, that probably means they only offer the statutory minimum which is not much at all.

Even if they offer more they may well have an enhanced policy that requires you to have worked with them for several years before you can access it.

Just plan as if its the statutory minimum and anything extra is a bonus.

Thanks for replies. I'll definitely hold off asking HR. It is a great job and I'm really enjoying it so I wouldn't want to jeopardise that. At the same time I can't get the baby thing out of my head (must get off MN ). Grr. Will plan based on statutory minimum - good advice, thank you all.

I know games, my last company (fairly large US-based) kept it secret too. However they did have a decent policy - pregnant workmate shared it with me - and you only had to be there a year by the time you went on mat leave to qualify.

I think if I plan to TTC after about 6 months there's a possibility I could qualify for something extra, also that way I won't be disappearing too quickly and risk annoying the new co.