Recently, quite a few of anxious soon-to-be parents messaged me telling me, telling me that their or their spouse’s employers are trying to cut corners on maternity allowance payouts. We’re talking about haggling down to half, or 70%, and get this – some even suggest suspending employment until after childbirth because the company has no money, as if it’s some bargaining board game.
Here’s the deal. Maternity allowance is not a ‘nice-to-have’ benefit. It’s mandated by the government. Honestly, if a company can’t afford these essential benefits, it makes me wonder – what’s really going on behind those office doors? It certainly doesn’t scream, ’employee well-being’, does it?
Anyway, the update from 60 to 98 days of maternity leave wasn’t a snap decision. It took years to get this passed in Parliament. Years! We all saw this coming from a mile away, so any talk of being caught off-guard is, frankly, a bit of a joke on its own.
Businesses, big or small, should step up and honour their part of the deal. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet – they’re people’s lives, people’s families. Cutting back on maternity allowances? That’s not just cutting costs, it’s cutting corners on decency.
So, let’s get it together. It’s time to step up and show some respect for the people who keep the lights on in our business. Remember, a happy employee makes a happy company.
Happy weekend, everybody.
#Dugaan
