UNISON has been campaigning for improvements for both maternity and paternity leave and pay. Even Lidl recently increased their paid paternity leave to 4 weeks.
It is pleasing to report that the Joint Trade Unions have negotiated and agreed the following improved terms for staff working for Sandwell MBC.
- Paternity leave for staff with 26 weeks service, 15 weeks before the expected birth date, will receive 4 weeks paternity leave on full pay.
- All other paternity partners will receive 2 weeks leave on full pay.
- Those on maternity leave can increase their Keeping-In-Touch days from 10 to 20, thereby increasing pay.
- It will be possible to agree a phased return to work on reduced hours for the final 13 weeks of maternity leave, thereby avoiding a period of zero pay.
- The employer’s contribution into the LGPS will automatically be paid, with Mother’s having 12 months to pay any missed contributions or opting out.
It is hoped that the combination of the phased return to work on reduced hours during the final 13 weeks of 12 months maternity leave and the employers automatically paying their contributions into the pension scheme will prevent most Mother’s from having an adverse break in their local government pension.
UNISON will be asking other employers to adopt the same policies.