HR won't tell me enhanced maternity package until paperwork completed

[London91]

Not really an employment issue exactly.

My work offer an enhanced maternity package, but I couldn't find any information detailing what it was equivalent to. So I tried asking HR, and they told me that until all my paperwork for maternity leave was sorted out, they weren't allowed to tell me. Don't get me wrong I know they'll tell me eventually, but it doesn't help much whilst planning for maternity leave.

Has anyone else experienced this before? I just found it really strange.

Have you asked why? That sounds ridiculous. Could you ask someone else who's been on mat leave?

I didn't ask why, should have done really. The only reason I can think of is if staff decide not to return after maternity leave but then work could get that money back. That'll be my next bet.

Huh, in my company theres a clause in our contracts that says if you don't return for at least 3 months once your leave is up, you have to pay back some of it. Its been waived for people who can't return (ie disabled DC) but otherwise it works pretty well. But we get full salary for all 52 weeks, so loyalty is high.

Does the paperwork include when your return date is? What if it turns out that you can't afford to take the full year?

Ours isn't very enhanced but the maternity policy sets out the terms and percentages paid at each stage.

It is odd that they won't tell you, especially if you're already pregnant.

@SomeoneElseEntirelyNow Ours is the same, if you leave or don't go back for 3 months minimum then you have to repay the enhanced rate, which is fair enough. Wow, that's a great maternity package. I can understand why staff retainment would be high.

@Modestandatinybitsexy It would include the date I would intend to return. It's very odd. I almost laughed when she told me.