Help with return to work maternity bonus

[excitedfornumber2]

Hi, I have returned back to work with my previous employer and qualify for the maternity bonus they pay when you have been back at work for 12 weeks. I had to leave work early on friday as i was unwell, and left an hour early after working 4. Having read my handbook im not sure if i have exempted myself, it states "you must have 12 weeks continuous attendance", there is nothing to say that you are exempt if off sick, but would grateful with any advice, It will cost me £3000 if i dont get it for 1 hour so pretty expensive. I did call work on saturday and spoke to my manager who spoke to HR and neither of them could give a definate answer as it isnt very clear.
Thanks in advance

It isn't very clear, is it? I would think based on that wording, technically they could probably get out of paying it you if they wanted to.

But it would be extremely harsh, and clearly not in the spirit of the policy, which is obviously to prevent people coming back for a couple of days then being 'off sick' most of the 12 weeks.

Here's the thing. Bonuses are always at the discretion of the company, but it doesn't stipulate you must attend full days, but rather continuous, so you've fulfilled this.

In any case, it would be totally disproportionate for the sake of one day. Perhaps on a pro rata basis would be more fair if they are disputing paying it or not.

The full wording is
If you have at least 2 years continous service at the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and after 12 weeks continuous attendance(including holiday leave) following your return date, you may be entitled to recieve a maternity bonus. The bonus is payable in recognition of your return to work, it is designed to compensate you.

I know it would be harsh and they are a big company, as i said i worked 4 hours of my 5 so did attend work, also i have since returning worked additional hours and am also attending a training course on tues which is an additional 2.5 hours, i honestly think they will get out of paying it if they can. What do you think i should do if they do say it wont be paid?

Why do you think they will try to get out of paying it excited? They are obviously prepared to pay this to women returning from maternity leave otherwise they wouldn't have it in their policy, so as you will have fulfilled the basic intention of the policy, what makes you think they don't want to pay it? Is there something else that has happened to indicate they will try to get out of it?

You will have been in work everyday, and will in fact have worked over your contracted hours in total, so although technically they could get out of paying it, on the face of it there doesn't seem to be any reason for them to do so.

They could easily have a very stingy basic maternity policy if they wanted to, but they obviously want to reward women with good attendance coming back after maternity leave.

i called and spoke to my manager who spoke to hr and they said they think i may be exempt as i have taken sick, they have a very strict sickness policy although it doesnt state linked to this in anyway. the mat pay is very good and basically it makes it so you get full pay for the first 18 weeks. just wondered if i could appeal in worse case scenerio

Well you could certainly appeal, yes absolutely. Would your manager support you?

If your manager would also appeal on your behalf, and put forward stuff about how committed you are, your previously exemplary sickness record (hopefully), the fact that you have been in work every day, the fact that it is literally one hour, the fact that you have worked over your contracted hours, and reminding them of the reason for the bonus (motivation, encouraging women back to work), then that would help as well.

i think she would, my sickness prior to going on mat leave was quite high but down to mat related sickness. when i first called she said she didnt think so as it was only one hour but then changed it once she had spoken to hr, i was really ill and thought i was going to pass out. just annoyed with myself. thanks for your advice, role on tomorrow

Pg-related sickness can't be counted against you in any way, so if your pre-pg attendance was good she could emphasise that.

fingers crossed for you

Thanks it such a lot of money and i realy would hope that 1 hours sickness doesnt cost me £3000!!!. I have overspent whilst on mat leave and was hoping to pay off some debts and have reduced my hours and salary so dont have the facility any other way!!

hi just wanted to update evryone who helped i am still getting my bonus, it is not with held for sick, just delayed if you have longer than a week off, so roll on june payday!!!!

That's great news excited, and I'm glad you didn't need to have an argument about it as well.