Job Review: What do I ask for?(maternity,raise,hols)

Daisy1.5

my probationary period is due to expire in September, I've been advised by my boss to think about my terms of employment i.e. an increase in salary, benefits etc which in the current climate is very surprising and very much welcome.

One of the options I am looking at is maternity benefit, myself and my partner discussed the possibility of having kids in the not so distant future, in my last job maternity benefit was a given but thats not case with this job. Would it be to cheeky or presumptious of me to ask for it at this early stage????????

Or would I be safer asking for a raise, mileage or an extra weeks holidays?

All advice greatly appreciated.

3DataModem

Extra weeks hols is always a good one... hard for them to ever take it back, and doesn't cost anything. You'll appreciate it when you have kiddies.

looksee

It might be tactful not to bring up the question of maternity leave before your probationary period is finished! Is that usual for an employer to be able to treat maternity leave as discretionary? Obviously your decisions about a family are no-one's business but yourself and your partner; however you might consider getting a little more established in your job before taking time off. You are obviously well thought of, maybe you should consolidate that a bit.

gerrycollins

ill take it you are refferring to getting paid while on maternity at least to the level of your current wages after social welfare contributions?

if so and its a big company the why not ask anyways.

i'd go with the extra time holidays

Daisy1.5

Thanks for the advice, def going to ask for the extra weeks hols but I'm still contemplating the maternity leave paid anybody work in HR what would your reaction be to that request??

helimachoptor

Daisy1.5 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, def going to ask for the extra weeks hols but I'm still contemplating the maternity leave paid anybody work in HR what would your reaction be to that request??

Never mind HR, your boss will know your going to be taking 9 months off pretty soon...

Daisy1.5

Thanks helimachoptor for your input but I'm not pregnant now nor do I intend to be in the next few weeks or months. I'm thinking about my future and was hoping to get some practical advice which for the most part I have received!!

greendom

Daisy1.5 wrote: »

Thanks helimachoptor for your input but I'm not pregnant now nor do I intend to be in the next few weeks or months. I'm thinking about my future and was hoping to get some practical advice which for the most part I have received!!

What are the company's standard terms for maternity leave?

Daisy1.5

In the company handbook it just gives info about the statutory payments and your entitlements and how to go about it. the position I have is a senior postion, I'm the first person to hold this position, the company are very open minded and generally open to negotiation. I was thinking if I did ask for maternity payment less the statutory €270 that I would also advise them that I would be available on the phone and in the case of a real emergency I would go in!! Am I shooting myself in the foot here!

gerrycollins

honestly if I was in your position I would leave the maternity thing alone. Some places pay it after 2 years service(getting v rare these days) but seeing as your place doesnt I'd leave well alone.

to some extent some places are not even offering paid sick leave in new contracts even after 2 years its a little cost cutting measure

mikemac

With tax often a raise isn't worth that much at all. Especially if you pay higher rate of tax.

If I were you I'd try for extra holidays