Maternity leave in the UK

I have heard a few figures on this, so I figured I would just as those that live there and are moms. What's the maternity leave time in the UK?

This should give you some info until someone can chime in with their own experiences!

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/employment/maternity_leave.htm

I haven't been on maternity leave, but some companies, like the one I work for, continue paying the enhanced rate if one decides to continue on leave past 26 weeks. A perk worh looking for if you are planning on getting pregnant!

We plan on trying a year after I get a job.  a lot of boards I know have praised maternity leave in the UK vs. Here, and I won't lie, it was one of those 'perks' that I considered when deciding to move there.

I don't have any children but where I work the maternity cover is fantastic. You have to have been at the company 26 weeks to use it but they offer 6 months of full pay followed by 3 months of statutory maternity pay the only downside is you then have to remain at the company for a year after your mat leave finishes or you have to pay some back....

I've recently interviewed for a different job where the maternity cover isn't as good. You have to be at the company for 2 years to use it and then you only get 14 weeks of full pay followed by 6 months of statutory maternity pay. After being there for 26 weeks however you are entitled to statutory maternity pay for the whole 9 months....... Its something i've been considering as to whether or not I want the job.

You can take a full year off but usually won't get paid for the last 3 months. Every company has different maternity leave policies so its worth checking them out when you get your job!

Do you know about the having to remain at the job for a year after the matity leave - is that at part time or what you were before the baby was born?

Everyone in team I'm in has come back part time (3 full days a week) However a couple of people in different areas have had to go back for 4 days a week as their roles can't be done in 3 days. I don't think the having to remain for a year rule is for everywhere though, i think we have it because our cover is so good

I can understand that. I actually wouldn't mind going back part time at about the 6 month mark, even four days a week.

My company in the UK was great (a mid-large financial services company).

6 months at 90 percent pay.
3 further months at statutory.
up to a whole year off while they hold your job.
no requirement to come back to work at all.
manager discretion to pay bonuses (if that was part of your package).

I took the full year, got paid bonuses and paid out for accrued vacation time.  I never went back to work. 

I got Statuatory Maternity Pay, which is similar to Karin, but not as good, six weeks at 90% of my normal pay, and up to 9 months at SMP, again, they had to hold my job for a year, I did not go back, but some people have to go back for a certain amoutn of time or pay back their maternity leave. I also got my bonuses and at the end I got a months salary for accrued holidays.

I'm on SMP, have been since I went on Mat Leave at Christmas.  Going back a week from tomorrow at start of term (I work in Early Years).  Every time I cringe thinking about returning after 8 1/2 months, I think of my friends in MA and CA who worked practically up to due date then had to go back when their daughters were about 2 months.

You can take a year of leave, nine months of which is paid at least the SMP rate (or more if your employer chooses).

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/index.htm