Do you guys get paid when you go on maternity leave?
We were only allowed from last year June to go on maternity leave. We do not get paid at all until we come back to work 3 months after birth of baby. It is basically unpaid leave here at EK.
Wow... I am speechless!
Well it's not BA's policy, it's a UK policy. Every woman is entitled to maternity leave paid by the government. Some companies have better conditions and some, like BA, only give you what they are obliged to give.Nothing more, nothing less.
We get 6 weeks paid at 90% salary, then 20 weeks at about £108 per week. Then we are entitled to 26 weeks of Unpaid maternity Leave, that is we are not paid but we still keep our job. It's not compulsory though.
If the baby is due after the beginning of the new tax year (5th of april 2007 I think) then after the 6 weeks at 90% of your basic salary you get 33 weeks at £108 per week, then you have the remaining 13 weeks of Unpaid maternity leave if you want them.
The fact that we do not fly during the pregnancy is a bit of a problem for airlines, as they have to give us an alternative job whilst grounded and keep paying us basic+allowances till we go on maternity leave. Despite I would never do the grounded job for a living (I am not an office person) I really had a good time and it gave me an insight of another department that I didn't know very well before. I'd definitely ask to go back there next time round!!
I know for a fact that maternity leave in the UK is not the best available in europe but I feel lucky I have been given the opportunity to take up to a year mat. leave. I know some countries are still far behind and I think all women should get together and fight for what they need/want regarding this!!!!