As of the 1st of April the Work and Families Act will extend Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from 26 weeks to 39 weeks. Abbey welcomes the increase as it believes it is important to provide working mothers with support to cope with the demands of family life. Abbey policy Abbey believes that respecting employees as individuals and valuing the unique contribution that each person makes will impact positively on the business. Employing people from diverse backgrounds adds value to the way we do business and Abbey believes in equality of opportunity in all areas of employment. Selection and promotion is based on the relevant aptitudes, abilities and skills to do the job. 70% of Abbey employees who go on maternity leave return. The Abbey returner’s bonus is £125 a month payable for two years. Four weeks (unpaid) parental leave is available for employees within any one year. In 2005 Abbey was awarded the Silver Standard for gender equality by Opportunity Now.

A recent Equal Opportunities Commission investigation found that almost half of pregnant working women previously experienced some disadvantage in the workplace as a result of pregnancy or maternity leave.

Main changes:

All employed women are entitled to additional maternity leave The payment period for statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance has been extended to 39 weeks from 26 The notice a woman must give if she is changing her date of return from maternity leave has been increased from 28 days to 8 weeks Optional keeping in touch days have been introduced enabling a woman to work for up to 10 days during her maternity leave period All women have a right to return to work after maternity leave regardless of the size of the employer

“It makes sound business sense to maintain a supportive work environment for our staff that encourages the retention of skilled workers and strikes a healthy work-life balance. The changes to maternity leave are a welcome step toward addressing discrimination against working mothers. At Abbey we’ve long exceeded the statutory minimum with our returning mums able to enjoy flexible working hours and assistance with child-care costs.” Commented Mark Adams, HR Director, Abbey.

Abbey provides employees taking maternity leave with a range of benefits including a returner’s bonus paid for the two years following maternity leave, a childcare voucher scheme and flexible work options. In addition a ‘reduced accountability career break’ can help parents cope with the additional demands of looking after a young child. Abbey also supports initiatives such as Parentworks, a scheme encouraging single parents back into the workplace.

Abbey policy

Abbey believes that respecting employees as individuals and valuing the unique contribution that each person makes will impact positively on the business. Employing people from diverse backgrounds adds value to the way we do business and Abbey believes in equality of opportunity in all areas of employment. Selection and promotion is based on the relevant aptitudes, abilities and skills to do the job.

70% of Abbey employees who go on maternity leave return.

The Abbey returner’s bonus is £125 a month payable for two years.

Four weeks (unpaid) parental leave is available for employees within any one year.

In 2005 Abbey was awarded the Silver Standard for gender equality by Opportunity Now.


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