Maternity Leave

I did a search to see if I could find a topic specifically about this, but didn't see one.

I'm wondering what maternity leave is like in the UK - England specifically.  I've heard that outside the USA maternity is more generous as a rule, then I've also heard that it really stinks.  So - what do you all think?  What is the norm?  Does the government mandate a minimum?

I'm at least a year+ from having to worry about it, but it's on my mind a lot lately.  Not sure why. 

Thanks!
~Liza

It depends on the employer's policy.  Generally, it's more generous but this varies.  One very, very important thing to consider is the rule governing when an employer has to pay you maternity leave.  Many employers, for example, have a 6 month probation period.  If you fall pregnant w/i that time, they can terminate you for just about any reason.  It may not be the most ethical thing, but as far as I know it's not illegal.

There's also some rule - I have to look it up in the book they gave me when I fell pregnant the first time - about your having had to have worked there for 26 weeks prior to six weeks before you due date for the employer to be compelled to pay your maternity leave.  So it's not a very wise idea to get a job w/the express purpose of having paid maternity leave. 

If your employer is not compelled to pay your maternity leave, you could be - depending on how long you've worked in the UK and built up NI contributions - be eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), which is about £100/week. 

Ok - that's interesting!  Hopefully, that won't be an issue with me as I plan to transfer with the company I currently work for, and I've been an employee for 8+ years.  I'll just need to ensure that I ask if the clock will start over at zero when I transfer to the UK side of the corporation.

What is the "typical" length of maternity leave?

Thanks!
~Liza

What is the "typical" length of maternity leave?

Thanks!
~Liza

Again, I don't think there's a 'typical' length of time b/c they're not required to pay your full salary the full time at all.  Some places only offer 90% pay, for example.  Many places do 90% or full for a length of time, say 2 or 3 months, then that rate of pay drops to 60% or nothing in some places.  When you go back depends on what you can afford.  Also many employers stipulate that if you take a certain maternity option you must return to your job for X amount of time.  My employer, for example, will pay full wage for 4 months, provided you return after your leave for at least 3 months.  If you don't, you have to pay them back.

It'd be a good idea to look over the terms of your employment and if you need to sign a new contract in the UK.

Another important consideration if your job is a career you plan to return to is how getting pregnant soon after arrival could affect your professional image.  Harsh, but in some more conservative fields it's something to think about.   

is it called maternity leave there? I thought it was prenatal this and post natal that. Maybe that's why you didn't find anything about it online.

Yes, it's called going out on maternity.

I thought maternity leave in the UK was 18 weeks at least.  Usually you have to work for your employer for awhile in order to get a paid maternity leave but if not, then  you can collect maternity benefit.  Im sure they have to give you at least 18 weeks off.

Im on maternity leave at the moment.  It is for 26 weeks and paid.  I could take an additional 26 weeks unpaid  if I wanted to so in total I would have about 6 months paid, 6 months unpaid and still return to the exact job I had before baby.   

I thought maternity leave in the UK was 18 weeks at least.  Usually you have to work for your employer for awhile in order to get a paid maternity leave but if not, then  you can collect maternity benefit.  Im sure they have to give you at least 18 weeks off.

Im on maternity leave at the moment.  It is for 26 weeks and paid.  I could take an additional 26 weeks unpaid  if I wanted to so in total I would have about 6 months paid, 6 months unpaid and still return to the exact job I had before baby.   

They don't have to pay you the full whack is the caveat.  For those of us who have lower income or need both incomes to survive, this becomes an issue.

A LOT depends on the employer.  Mine pays 4 months at full pay - IF you take only 4 months off, if you take 6, then it's 4 months at 80% pay and 2 at 60%. 

The government maternity benefit is based on your NI contributions, if you haven't paid in long enough you're not eligible for them. 

Whilst it's better than what you'd get in the US, I couldn't even pay our rent off £108/week, which is what SMP (statutory maternity pay) is.

i think my company gives you 6 months fuly paid leave, then it drops for the following 6 months after.

it's a full year off if you take it.  a reason why i would not be too sad if i got pregnant. 

http://www.tiger.gov.uk/

The above has the latest information about what is required.  If you have been employed for a certain length of time your employer has to pay you 90% of your salary for the first 6 weeks then a further 20 weeks at  £108 p/w. I believe this is going to be extended to 12 months sometime soon. You are entitled to take a full 12 months off work and have your job held open for you but the second half of it is unpaid at present. Your employer gets 90% of what they pay you back from Inland Revenue. Some employers pay more over and above this but they don't have to. 

Just dug out my 'Ready Steady Baby' book given to me by the surgery at my initial appointment:

'SMP is a weekly payment made to you by your employer (wo then claims most of it back from the Benefits Agency).  You get it:

- if you have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due
- if you earn up to a minimum amount each week.

B/c mine is 4 months at full whack, I'm gonna have to go that route. 

Remember that with most employers, if you take maternity leave and then quit before coming back, you'll have to pay them back!  I work in a university w/generous benefits, but have to work for them at least 3 months after coming back from leave. 

Expat, just to clarify, I'm sure you mean that some employers require you to pay back any additional maternity pay over and above the SMP?  You don't have to pay back SMP in any circumstances.

Expat, just to clarify, I'm sure you mean that some employers require you to pay back any additional maternity pay over and above the SMP?  You don't have to pay back SMP in any circumstances.

Yeah, that's it!  Over and above the £108/week, which could add up to a chunk of change for full-time folks. 

Or in my case zilch. Oh don't get me started on that one. 

I'm resurrecting this thread... anyone know if you are on FLR(M) if you can claim Maternity Assistance? This is administered through the Job Centre so I'm assuming it's considered a benefit like Job Seekers Allowance and therefore not available to someone without ILR.

No, I'm not NEEDING to know now  , but I'm hoping to have a job offer soon and I turn 35 this week and we're just trying to make sure we have all the info we need. The job is only a 6 month contract which means all the employment times etc may be different from a permanent contract. Clearly we need to have the timing correct on this!