my fight to get materity pay (Maternity/Paternity Leave)

Member Name: littlemissdws

Product:	Maternity/Paternity Leave
Date:	16/08/01 (446 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: your right

Disadvantages: can cause problems

When I discovered I was expecting my first child had planned to return to work and only take the paid leave we were entitled to then (14 weeks paid)I know it has changed now.
But I changed my mind as I had problems and I wanted to spend more time at home with my new baby and we were lucky we could afford this.the longer term off was for 40weeks,from week 15 you were unpaid.

I went to my personnel manger who was a women and I had hoped that this was going to be a smooth process as a replacement had to be found.I was at the time working for Railfreight in a freight yard and it was a 24 hour job and we worked shifts including nights.

But I was shocked to come up with so many problems, I was rudely told I was not entitled to the extended leave and they would not allow it.(You have to be employed with the company for two years or more and I had)
So I went out to my citizens advice and double checked what I already knew and even spoke to the relevant government agency.Then I had to sit down and tell my own personnel manager what I was entitled too by law.

In the end they agreed, but I was distressed and shocked that I was treated like this and by a women. She was so cold and there was no understanding.
So my advice would be make sure YOU know you are entitled too and don't always listern to the company.
If I had I would have missed out.

I left the company soon after as I moved.

Summary: