Maternity Rights

Saint Sonner

My wife works for a small pharmacy (own a few shops) shes worked there for 3 years now and has became manager after about 18 months. 

She never signed a contract at any stag and with us beginning to think about having a family I wondered what her rights would be in terms of maternity leave and pay? As she hasn't signed a contract I would be worried about this and just wanted to check before she asked.

I was thinking that she might be best trying to get employment with a bigger chain given her experience and that she would get more privileges there?

On a side note she was also considering contributing to a pension - does her employer have to contribute anything if she wants to do this?

Stheno

She'd be entitled to statutory maternity leave and maternity benefit which is about 232 euro per week while on leave.

Her employer is under no obligation to add to that.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/maternity_leave.html

As regards pensions, her employer has to give her access to a PRSA/Pension but does not have to contribute

http://www.pensionsauthority.ie/en/LifeCycle/Joining_a_plan/Employers_obligations_to_provide_access/

CIARAN_BOYLE

Stheno wrote: »

As regards pensions, her employer has to give her access to a PRSA/Pension but does not have to contribute

http://www.pensionsauthority.ie/en/LifeCycle/Joining_a_plan/Employers_obligations_to_provide_access/

Often employers don't shop for the best deals when setting up these schemes. Unless employer agrees to contribute she may be as well setting up a pension privately.

Mrs OBumble

She should ask discreet questions of women in similar situations who work for the larger chains, to find out if any of them offer paid maternity leave.

But I doubt if any do.