What are the best UK companies for maternity leave?

The top 10 UK companies for maternity leave revealed with some offering up to NINE months’ full pay (so did your employer make the cut?)

  • New research from Money Guru looks at UK employers’ maternity packages
  • Some companies offer up to nine months’ full pay, the Money Guru study found
  • Study also looked at best paternity policies, naming American Express as best 

The top ten UK companies for maternity leave have been revealed in a new study. 

Research from price comparison experts at Money Guru names management consulting firm Accenture and e-tailer Etsy among the top employers with some offering up to nine weeks’ full pay for new mothers. 

The study, which also looked at the best paternity leave packages, found that some 70 per cent of UK employers believe women should declare their pregnancy during the recruitment process. 

So did your company make the cut? Read on to find out the top ten companies for maternity and paternity leave packages…

Did your employer make the cut? The top ten UK companies for maternity leave have been revealed in a new study from a team of experts at Money Guru (file photo)

According to Money Guru, one in seven (14 per cent) of employers admitted they would be ‘reluctant’ to hire a woman who may go on to have children.

Studies show that 39 per cent of young mothers have been illegally asked in job interviews about how being a mother would affect their ability to work. 


  • A firm favourite! Meghan opts for the red version of the…


    Made in Ukraine: The women paid £14,000 to carry babies for…

Share this article

What’s more, around 24 per cent of employers believe that women should work for them for at least a year before having children (in some cases, this is company policy).

Registered Psychologist Rachel Hard commented: ‘The title “maternity leave” gives a gendered role or expectation of who can/should take leave to care for a new baby. 

‘The traditional male and female roles are often still in play despite social sanctions to establish equality.’ 

The study found that some 70 per cent of UK employers believe women should declare their pregnancy during the recruitment process (file photo)

Maternity support was introduced to the UK just over 100 years ago, in 1911.

Women could still be sacked for falling pregnant up until 1975, when the Employment Protection Act was brought in.

Only 50 per cent of women had access to maternity leave right up until 1993, when it was given to all women, as Britain was forced to comply with a European commission directive.

With such a short history of women being supported during pregnancy and motherhood in the workplace, it’s impressive to see these companies offering more inclusive and beneficial options.

What are the best UK companies for maternity leave? 

1. Accenture 

The management consultancy firm offers 36 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay.

2. Transport for London 

TFL offers 26 weeks fully paid maternity leave, 13 weeks statutory maternity pay and a possible additional 13 weeks unpaid leave. This is open to all employees regardless of length of service.

3. M&G 

Childcare vouchers and an ‘enhanced maternity package’ from the investment management company.

4. Etsy 

Gender blind – meaning they offer all employees 26 weeks of fully paid leave to be taken in the first year of their child’s life. There are also assistance programmes for parents of children with special needs and unlimited sick leave which employees are encouraged to use for caring for their children.

5. Aviva 

The insurance company offers 26 weeks’ leave with full basic pay regardless of gender, sexual orientation or whether they had given birth, adopted or conceived through surrogacy.

6. UKFast 

The firm offers new mums 16 weeks’ paid maternity leave, in addition to an on-site creche and baby hampers for new mums and dads.

7. Vodafone 

The mobile network offers 16 weeks of full paid maternity leave and a further six months of four-day weeks on full pay.

8. Netflix 

Parents are allowed to take off as much time as they want in the first year, while being paid their full salary by the streaming giant. They can choose to return full or part-time and this is inclusive of birth and adoption.

9. Microsoft 

The software giant offers 20 weeks’ paid leave, eight weeks’ fully paid after the birth and 12 weeks’ parental leave for both mothers and fathers which can be taken at once or in blocks. They also offer mothers two weeks of disability leave before their due date and phased return.

10. Civil Service 

Offers 26 weeks fully paid leave and shared parental leave which can be taken in one go or in blocks throughout the first year.

What are the best UK companies for paternity leave? 

1. American Express 

The credit card provider offers 20 weeks paid parental leave with an ongoing campaign to promote taking the time.

2. Lenovo 

The tech giant offers eight weeks of paid paternity leave and ongoing flexible leave for any sort of family emergency.

3 Spotify 

The music streaming platform offers new dads six  months of parental leave, child care subsidy and support in case of emergency.

4 Etsy 

The e-tailer offers 26 weeks fully paid parental leave, assistance programmes for parents of children with special needs and unlimited sick leave which employees are encouraged to use for caring for their children.

5 Twitter 

The social media site 20 weeks paid parental leave. An organisation called Twitter Parents offers discounts on goods and services.

6 IBM 

The tech company 14 to 20 weeks parental leave, which can be taken anytime throughout the child’s first year.

7 Netflix 

Leave is worked out on an individual basis with no official cap for new fathers working for the streaming giant.

8 Deloitte 

The financial advisory network offers 16 weeks’ parental leave and emergency back-up care for all parents and those with elderly relatives.

9 Lyft 

The transportatation company offers 18 weeks paid paternity leave to be taken in the child’s first year. There is also an internal group for parents offering additional support.

10 Pinterest 

The social media site offers 16 weeks’ fully paid parental leave, staged return and support for parents, those going through IVF and adoption. 

Source: Read Full Article