Finding (and keeping) maternity cover as company owner.

[henfam]

Hi. I run a small business with 2 staff. Am due with my first and am going mad with worry about maternity cover. Had to get cover for one of my staff last year and was let down twice by temporary employees (nothing we did wrong, their circumstances changed). Cost me about 11k and had to work both jobs myself.

My staff are not qualified to do my job so I need cover but I am worried that a) I won't find anyone and b) they'll leave.

I've waited many many years to have this baby and it's my last chance age wise so I am not willing to go back to work straight away. I want to take maternity leave like everyone else is allowed to 😞.

My only other option is close the business and all three of us lose our jobs and I don't want to do that to them.

If I find cover, any ideas how I can guarantee they'll stay? Was going to call ACAS, see i f I can offer e.g massive bonus if you're still here at the end of 12 months but you get zip if you leave.

Anyone has any experience of this?

Call good quality recruiters and get their advice before making a decision. They’ll be able to steer you with what may work best in the circumstances.

Think you’ll be looking for an office manager type role, so an all rounder to keep things ticking over.

Also think about what you want them to do in the role too, maybe write it down so it becomes a job specification?

Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Thanks Daphine2004, I was very much ripped off by the recruitment agents last time so I'm going to have to set some VERY firm rules this time!