Maternity Pay Question?

[varmit]

Hi

Hoping someone here can give me an idea of what's relatively standard practice. I realise that every company has there own policy, and some are much more generous than others, so it's hard to get a feel for an average. Basically I have worked in a small company for 14 years, almost like a family business, and my boss and I are great friends. He is very generous, and we are both happy with the arrangement we've come to, but we'd love to know whether it's much better than average or not!

I am getting full pay from the company for 2 months, and half pay for 4 months, plus SMP on top of that. Which seems very good to me, as I would've thought most employers just top up the SMP.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

Thanks very much!

Well you've done better than statutory but I suppose you know that already?

It varies from company of course. I know some people who are getting 9 months at full pay.. and others getting statutory only. You are lucky!

Thanks Alberta, do you know if they get 9 months full pay plus SMP on top? Or does the company top up the SMP so that is equates to full pay?

My friend who got nine months full pay didn't get the SMP on top, I don't know anyone who has had that.

When I had DS1 my company policy was that you got statutory pay but enhanced leave allowance (an extra year with no pay) until you'd been her 5 years. I felt that this was really rubbish (esp. since I had more than 5 yrs service but not in a single block so I got statutory). They have since changed it to 2 years minimum service for the better pay - 4 months full pay then SMP only.

Your deal sounds EXCELLENT to me. Wish I had your boss!

Your pay sounds excellent.

I know of no company who pay full salary and SMP on top - why should you earn more off work than whilst there? Would be a bit odd .

Most companies only enhance for the first six months. It is almost always public sector or used to be public sector (don't know the policies of people like privatised utilities or BT, but that's the type of industry I'm thinking of) who go any longer.

Anything that runs for the first six months is good. It is common to make the first month or six weeks (when you'd be on 90% anyway) up to 100%. Anything in region of 50% is really good going for the balance. The longer they kept you at 100%, the lower that second percentage tend to be IYSIM (e.g. you might get a month at 100% then 5 months at 50%, or two months at 100% and then four at 40%...). I also know a fair few companies with three bands - e.g. 6 weeks at 100%, 6 weeks at 75%, 13 weeks at 25%...

As you say, it's very variable.

Sounds great to me. I know lots of people who only got SMP.
However, I also know some people who got their SMP topped up and then had to commit to go back to work and stay there for a certain time after. I mean something like, take maternity leave then work for same employer for another year before you could resign otherwise you had to give the extra back... Not sure exactly how that works in terms of employment law, but know it can be a consideration for some as some people take maternity leave fully intending to go back but then after baby comes, they change their mind and decide to stay home with baby, which is great for them, but can be a bit awkward if you have to give the money back!!

Thanks everyone, really useful replies, and as I suspected, my boss is fab!