Employer has changed maternity policy - please advise

iamana1ias

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Was this separation from the parent company under TUPE regulations? That might make a difference about whether or not they can do this.

that is possibly why they've done it, although paternity leave is so short and unpaid, that I'm not sure a comparison to m/l would stand. Not my area of expertise, however I don't remember seeing this flagged anywhere in the employment updates I see from time to time.

paternity leave is not unpaid any more than maternity leave is!

Savvy_Sue

Sorry I'm behind the times. Paternity leave is still only a short period though, isn't it? And there's not the same "will he, won't he" question about whether you're coming back that there is with a year's m/l, so no need to enhance pay for 12 months on return to persuade someone to come back! That's the distinction I was trying to make ...

pinkshoes

Where I work, the maternity policy is in the handbook rather than the contract, and thus can be subject to change. Whenever they change a policy, they always send round a site wide email, along with a printed version of the update on all notice boards.

I would say this more depends on whether you've notified them of your pregnancy. If you haven't, then I think you would have to go with the new policy, but if you had already informed them you were pregnant and thus going to take maternity leave, then I *think* they'd have to honour the old policy.

Mudd14

I agree with pinkshoes. If it is in a handbook it can be changed and Iam sure there will be something in the handbook to state this.

However, as you are currently pregnant you can oppose the change. Saying this if you dont agree they can dismiss you, very unlikely though as pregnant ladies are surrounded by red tape!

mikey72

Mudd14 wrote: »

I agree with pinkshoes. If it is in a handbook it can be changed and Iam sure there will be something in the handbook to state this.

However, as you are currently pregnant you can oppose the change. Saying this if you dont agree they can dismiss you, very unlikely though as pregnant ladies are surrounded by red tape!

It won't be automatically be unfair dismissal though, so possibly not a wise course to take.
While I agree "pregnant ladies are surrounded by red tape" it was usually because it was automatically discrimination as only woman could be pregnant. However due to now applying similar rules, men can now be discriminated against concerning childbirth, since paternity leave was introduced.
So if men don't get enhanced pay after leave, it's discrimination to automatically give it to women. It may have been a perk to get you back, but not usually a right.

zimm143

Mike72 - so do you think men should get the right to separate breast-feeding facilities at work also?

To have a decent maternity leave policy is so far from discrimination against men it's not even funny.

Thanks all for your helpful comments. I am going to fight it - as a loyal employee of 5 years I just want what other ladies had before me.

jdturk

zimm143 wrote: »

Mike72 - so do you think men should get the right to separate breast-feeding facilities at work also?

To have a decent maternity leave policy is so far from discrimination against men it's not even funny.

Thanks all for your helpful comments. I am going to fight it - as a loyal employee of 5 years I just want what other ladies had before me.

In the place of equalities surely we should have equal rights for men and woman, if in a workplace a woman gets your bonus you got of 25% extra pay for presumably the equivalent time they were off (ie 39-52 weeks) after maternity leave then surely a Man who takes paternity leave for two weeks should be entitled to 25% extra pay for the two weeks following his return?

iamana1ias

zimm143 wrote: »

Mike72 - so do you think men should get the right to separate breast-feeding facilities at work also?

To have a decent maternity leave policy is so far from discrimination against men it's not even funny.

Thanks all for your helpful comments. I am going to fight it - as a loyal employee of 5 years I just want what other ladies had before me.

I have a feeling you're going to be disappointed.

Savvy_Sue

jdturk wrote: »

In the place of equalities surely we should have equal rights for men and woman, if in a workplace a woman gets your bonus you got of 25% extra pay for presumably the equivalent time they were off (ie 39-52 weeks) after maternity leave then surely a Man who takes paternity leave for two weeks should be entitled to 25% extra pay for the two weeks following his return?

Err, no. Because the extra pay is to encourage women to return to work after the extended period of maternity leave, and the OP said that there is no enhanced maternity pay which some employers give if you are intending to return after the birth. The enhanced element usually has to be paid back if you change your mind.

whereas I doubt many men are not going back after 2 weeks paternity leave. They soon know which is easier, looking after a baby or going out to work! :rotfl:

jdturk

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Err, no. Because the extra pay is to encourage women to return to work after the extended period of maternity leave, and the OP said that there is no enhanced maternity pay which some employers give if you are intending to return after the birth. The enhanced element usually has to be paid back if you change your mind.

whereas I doubt many men are not going back after 2 weeks paternity leave. They soon know which is easier, looking after a baby or going out to work! :rotfl:

Shouldn't make a differance, if there incentive is there for one gender it should be there for another irrespective of the time they on their leave

Personally I believe maternity pay should be split equally with no option for one side to have more than 6 months maternity.