Stay as contractor or move to a permanent role for maternity leave?

[dsc]

But it's easy for the company's to deal with this. They can just not employ women between the ages of 20 and 30 and if they do ask them if they intend to have kids at interview can't they? Simples.

Newsflash, average age of having a child for the first time is above 30 in the UK

[jamesbrown]

Must admit, not impressed. Unless you intend staying there for a few years after you’ve had the baby, then it’s more reasonable.

Agree. Can't be too hard on the OP, given that there are few practical options, but it would seem reasonable to give the company a decent period after maternity leave. Going straight back to contracting at the next available opportunity would be pretty dubious.

[dsc]

I've started a contract just before my wife gave birth and I have to say it was pretty tulipe on the whole family as I was doing long hours as the project was kicking off and commute was a fair bit. I only took two weeks off to help out at the start (we had some family over to help so it wasn't the end of the world) and even that was a stretch as I had loads to do and no one at the client's place was very keen for me to be away for longer. Overall looking back at it, I'd much rather be in a perm position, where you can negotiate some extra hols, or even get paternity leave to help out etc.

Consider that with a new born, even if he / she goes into a nursery at 6 months (which is crazy early btw imho as you'll want to spend more time with him / her), they might get ill, need time off due to not liking that particular place etc. and you will be forced to take time off work. No idea how your contracts look like, or what the industry is, but generally you are taken on to get on with the job and not many clients will be very happy with you disappearing. Also of course depends on your partner's position / availability, but I think you get the point.

[wattaj]

Must admit, not impressed. Unless you intend staying there for a few years after you’ve had the baby, then it’s more reasonable.

I have a different opinion: that I see absolutely no problem with joining a JPM/Barclays/random awful bank, or other large multinational just for the maternity benefits. None what-so-ever. I've seen these companies all too willing to throw good people under the bus for some tangential advantage over the years. To Hell with them. Fill your boots OP. And enjoy your paid time off.

[cojak]

I have a different opinion: that I see absolutely no problem with joining a JPM/Barclays/random awful bank, or other large multinational just for the maternity benefits. None what-so-ever. I've seen these companies all to willing to throw good people under the bus for some tangential advantage over the years. To Hell with them. Fill your boots OP. And enjoy your paid time off.

Big multi-nationals? Yep, that’s ok I suppose.

[ladymuck]

Interestingly, my previous client was perfectly happy for one of its contractors to take a full month off paternity leave. It was made clear when they joined that they intended to take the time off and everyone on the project knew about it so it was super easy to plan in.

When I worked at a local county council, back at the start of my contracting career, a youngster joined the council with the sole aim of getting pregnant and taking advantage of the generous maternity policy. She did the bare minimum in the role while building up her qualifying period. I have no idea if she did have a kid as my contract ended before that happened.

[northernladuk]

I have a different opinion: that I see absolutely no problem with joining a JPM/Barclays/random awful bank, or other large multinational just for the maternity benefits. None what-so-ever. I've seen these companies all to willing to throw good people under the bus for some tangential advantage over the years. To Hell with them. Fill your boots OP. And enjoy your paid time off.

But then you can't get a gig with them and get hooked on the idea and then take anything and your moral plan falls apart.

[wattaj]

But then you can't get a gig with them and get hooked on the idea and then take anything and your moral plan falls apart.

This is a potential outcome, but the OP's initial premise remains sound... if they are able to find the right employer/role.

[northernladuk]

This is a potential outcome, but the OP's initial premise remains sound... if they are able to find the right employer/role.

I get your point but still doesn't do it for me. Still dicks a whole host of people around in the team and the like, not just the faceless company.

[Lance]

Interestingly, my previous client was perfectly happy for one of its contractors to take a full month off paternity leave. It was made clear when they joined that they intended to take the time off and everyone on the project knew about it so it was super easy to plan in.

When I worked at a local county council, back at the start of my contracting career, a youngster joined the council with the sole aim of getting pregnant and taking advantage of the generous maternity policy. She did the bare minimum in the role while building up her qualifying period. I have no idea if she did have a kid as my contract ended before that happened.

working at a council seems to be just one step up from claiming benefits.