Statutory Maternity Pay Provisions, Is Guernsey Next?

The proposed terms of Jersey's new maternity provisions are causing quite a stir across the water. Jersey, like Guernsey, currently has no requirement for employers to offer paid maternity leave.

Employers in both islands either deal with maternity provisions on a case by case basis, or have their own policy. Such policies might be in line with that offered by parent or group companies in other countries. Many employers however offer nothing at all.

[The proposals in Jersey are for women who have worked for an employer for 15 months to be entitled to 18 weeks off work when they have a baby. Just two of those weeks would be paid.]

[Those who have worked for an employer for less than 15 months would be entitled to two weeks paid leave, and 6 weeks unpaid.]