The Truth About Maternity Leave in the UK

The Truth About Maternity Leave in the UK by Tom Bunkham By global comparison,  the UK ranks well for paid maternity leave. Yet, according to a study by USwitch, 28% of new mothers in Britain end up in debt. One explanation lies in the distinction between ‘paid’ leave and ‘well-paid’ leave.According to the International Network on Leave Policies and Research, receiving 66% or more of your salary while on maternity leave is considered ‘well-paid’. Using this benchmark, the UK finds itself slipping down the charts, as shown below.In the chart above, only 5 countries (Sweden, South Africa, Canada, Australia and the UK) drop down the table when you consider well-paid leave as opposed to just paid leave.The following calendar paints a clearer picture of maternity leave in the UK, by distinguishing between the duration of paid, well-paid and unpaid entitlement.New fathers in the UK are entitled to a fortnight’s paternity leave at a capped rate of £136.78 per week. According to a government study, 34% of fath ers in the UK don’t take the full 2 weeks, 66% of whom said it was because they couldn’t afford to.The picture in Scandinavian countries is very different, with 90% of new dads in Norway taking their full paternity leave, and 73% in Sweden. Paternity leave in Norway and Sweden more than qualifies as ‘well-paid’, while fathers in Britain are offered only 31% of the national average salary.The above comparisons all relate to statutory pay, the minimum amount employers are legally required to provide. Some companies, however, offer more generous maternity packages. Accounting firm KPMG, for example, offers 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.When she went on maternity leave, working mum and blogger Susan Mann was lucky enough to get paid two months’ full wage before reverting to the statutory amount. But she says maternity leave was still difficult. “I made sure I saved and paid for any large purchases required beforehand then I kept some savings for an emergency.”Gett ing into debt is a real worry for expectant mothers. One tip from Susan is to renegotiate your mortgage terms: “I arranged to have a maternity mortgage break. This is not ideal as it means the interest you accrue gets added to the end of your mortgage. But its the only way I could take time off without stressing or getting into debt.”Top tip from blogger and working mum Cass, from The Diary of a Frugal Family  is, ”Don’t feel like you have buy everything brand new second hand for most things is fine. And don’t forget that you can sell things on when youre finished with them, baby things always sell really well.”Luschka from Diary of a First Child says she did have to make cut backs whilst on statutory maternity pay, but it was a small price to pay for staying at home with her children. “My top tip would be to decide whats most important to you, and invest in that” she said.“To me, being home with my teensy, tiny baby was the most important thing that first year, a nd so I didnt feel that the things I had to give up were that much of a sacrifice.”If you’ve experienced maternity or paternity leave, what was it like? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.If you own a blog, and you want to share this content, there’s a full infographic available here, or feel free to share the charts embedded in this post.Definitions:In keeping with International Network on Leave Policies and Research’s methodology, this post uses the following definitions:Maternity leave is counted under the narrow definition of leave generally available to mothers only, to be taken just before, during and immediately after childbirth. It does not include entitlement to additional parental leave.As opposed to maternity leave and paternity leave, parental leave is generally understood to be a care measure, intended to give parents the opportunity to spend time caring for a young child. It can usually only be taken after the end of maternity leave, and ca n often be divided between either parent, though sometimes contains specific minimum quotas for fathers and mothers. The UK offers 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave to be taken before the child turns five years old.Paternity leave is counted as leave generally available to fathers only, usually to be taken soon after the birth of a child.Source: International Network on Leave Policies and ResearchFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

How to Choose a Resume Writing Pro That Can Help Your Career

How to Choose a Resume Writing Pro That Can Help Your CareerTo be able to write a resume, you need to go online and find a resume writing pro. The process of writing resumes can be stressful. If you are going to hire a professional to do the work for you, there are some things that you will want to know and this article is going to give you some tips on how to choose the right professional for your resume writing needs.If you are hiring a professional to do the job for you, it is imperative that you take the time to select a professional that has the ability to write in a format that is easy to understand. You will also want to make sure that the professional has experience in the type of resume that you are needing to produce. The first step in deciding which professional to hire is to go online and find a site that allows you to upload your resume.You will be able to find a potential resume writer by visiting the site and uploading your resume. Once you have uploaded your resume, y ou will be able to get a sense of the professionalism of the person who is writing your resume. Some people will submit a resume that is very professional looking. While other people may have a resume that is formatted poorly.The first and most important aspect of hiring a professional to write your resume is to get referrals from previous clients. It is important to find out what a professional can do for you before hiring them. You will want to know if they have the ability to provide you with a professional looking resume. You will also want to see if they are able to get your resume prepared for the type of format that you are using.One option that you will have is to find free resume templates that you can use to get a professional writing resume. Another option is to hire someone to rewrite your resume for you. No matter what option you choose, you will want to be sure that you are comfortable with the results.When you are looking for a professional to write your resume, you w ill want to make sure that they are ready to meet you at the same time. You will want to find someone who is accessible at the same time as you are. You should also find someone who can meet your deadline. There is nothing worse than spending a large amount of money and then not getting the results that you wanted.You will also want to find a professional that is willing to be flexible with your deadline. A professional that can meet your deadline will be better than a professional that has unrealistic deadlines. Another aspect of a professional that you will want to consider is that they should have an extensive knowledge in your field. If they do not have the skills that you need, you should get another professional.No matter what you do, the best way to find a professional is to look online. There are a number of resume writing for websites that will allow you to upload your resume. Once you upload your resume, you will be able to get a sense of the professionalism of the profess ional who is going to be writing your resume.

Sexual Harassment - What it Is and What it Isnt

Sexual Harassment - What it Is and What it Isnt If you run or manage a small or medium sized business, youre probably very aware of the increasing number of sexual harassment claims in the last couple of years.   While its only one part of what the insurance industry covers under the heading of employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), weve all been sensitized to it.   And its critical to the survival of your business that you understand what is and what isnt sexual harassment. There are plenty of gray areas that would be fodder for a team of attorneys.   But there are also   behaviors that virtually everyone would agree are unacceptable.   Heres a look at the basics of what you should know. Sexual Harassment What it Is and What it Isnt Workplaces are not socially sterile environments.   Its only natural that casual, friendly interactions and conversations take place daily.   After all, were not robots.   But a level of mutual respect and social decorum is expected at all times.   Specifically, the U.S. Government Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says: It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general. What about occasional offhand comments?   The key is occasional.   When the comment is made repeatedly, it can easily drift into being harassment.   Thats especially so if the offended person has made it clear they do not like the comment or that it makes them feel uncomfortable.   Best practice:   treat others the way you want to be treated.   Or they way youd want your spouse or child treated. From a legal standpoint, the standard is what would a reasonable person do or expect?   So the mere act of giving a brief hug one time is probably not harassment.   Continued, especially when called out as not acceptable, would move the action into the category of pervasive,   which might be considered harassment. How To Protect Your Business First and foremost, employee awareness training is essential.   This accomplishes two important objectives: Its permanent evidence that an official company policy exists and that its been communicated It makes all employees more conscious of their actions and how they might be perceived. USA Today suggests the following five points in setting up a sexual harassment training: Require in-person attendance.   Dont just include a page in their employee handbook. Allow plenty of time for discourse.   Open and candid discussion can help erase those gray areas. Make sexual harassment training continuous.   Employees come and go, and they forget. Keep it professional and current.   Get an expert if you dont feel qualified. Make it about behavior.   Clarity about what is and isnt sexual harassment makes for better understanding. In todays  litigious world, theres seemingly an endless number of liability exposures for the typical business.   As part of the coverage offered under EPLI, a broad range of potential employee/employer liability is covered.   So its a good idea to discuss such coverage with your insurance agent. The bottom line:   being proactive is the best policy. This guest post was provided by Sam Meenasian Sam Meenasian is the Operations Director of  USA Business Insurance  and  BISU Insurance  and an expert in commercial lines insurance products. With over 10 years of experience and knowledge in the commercial insurance industry, Meenasian contributes his level of expertise as a leader and an agent to educate and secure online business insurance for thousands of clients within the Insurance family.

CCG16 Podcast Advice For Future Women Entrepreneurs Thinking About Starting a Business

CCG16 Podcast Advice For Future Women Entrepreneurs Thinking About Starting a Business PODCAST: Click play above or right click here and save link as to download or subscribe on iTunes. Leave a quick review and rating  here on this link,  I would really appreciate it! Subscribe  on  your favorite platform below: iTunes Google Play Music Stitcher Radio TuneIn iHeartRadio Sound Cloud SHOW TOPICS: Networking Interview with Sirena Thomas-Moore: Advice For Someone Thinking About Starting a Business Advice for someone thinking about starting their own business How to manage your life as a career woman and a mother Time management for busy career women Get the  transcript  and watch the video of my chat with Sirena here: Networking Interview with Sirena Moore

Resume Writing Services - How a Professional Resume Writer Can Help You Get Hired

Resume Writing Services - How a Professional Resume Writer Can Help You Get HiredIn today's world, there are many resume writing services in Waukesha, Wisconsin. There are also many professional and private organizations that employ a professional to help you with your resume writing. While, a resume is one of the most important tools in getting a job, it's not the only one. This is why having an idea about the jobs that you would like to apply for is the first step towards getting hired.Getting hired is a big decision. A resume can certainly help you get that job you always wanted. But, it is only a start and it can not take the place of professional assistance from a professional resume writer.Resume writing services provide the best talent and skills in the industry. Many of them are so good they can even give you a professional look and feel to your resume. They will help you write a resume that will convey your professionalism and skills. There are some guidelines that a writer should follow to ensure that their work is professional and they do not tarnish your name.Always keep in mind the personality and the career field of the person that you are looking for to hire. People tend to choose jobs based on the industry that they work in. If you are looking for a job in manufacturing, your resume should focus on your background in manufacturing. Your background in engineering will only go to show that you are not trained to be in the manufacturing business. It is for this reason that a resume should always have a link to a career that you are actively pursuing.Do not leave out personal details about yourself such as where you are living and your likes and dislikes. This will certainly show the recruiter that you are outgoing and well-connected. A resume should reflect the personality that you are portraying. It should not be filled with all the details about you. Be honest and self-motivated.Your resume should clearly highlight your qualifications and achieve ments. The job opening that you are applying for is the best opportunity for you to portray your accomplishments and qualifications. These should all be clear and be integrated into your resume.Keep in mind that hiring a resume writing services is not a way to make money off of a good resume. You will be expected to submit your resume and all other information to your potential employer. You should not consider your resume writing service as a means to turn a quick buck. Carefully study the content of your resume before sending it. You should make sure that you are hiring an experienced professional.A professional resume writer will give you the information that you need to give to your prospective employer. And, with their services, you will be surprised how easy it is to get hired when you know what you want to write.

What is Your Interview Strategy - Hire Imaging

What is Your Interview Strategy - Hire Imaging You should always go into a job interview with a clear sense of what you want to accomplish. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s not always as obvious as it seems. The challenge is in the nature of the interview process. From the employer’s perspective, interviews fall into three categories based on what the employer wants to accomplish. The three main categories are: Screening interviews Selection interviews (employment decisions) Confirmation interviews Here’s a closer look at each: The screening interview The purpose of a screening interview is to narrow down a relatively large number of likely candidates to a smaller list of top choices. In large companies, these preliminary interviews are generally handled by the human resources department or a recruiter. In smaller companies, the screening interview  may be conducted by an assistant of the key decision-maker. Regardless of who’s doing the interviewing, your strategy in a screening interview should be to concentrate on one purpose: to stay in the running and move ahead to the next phase of the process. Don’t think about getting the offer yet â€" one step at a time! The main thing that people who conduct screening interviews care about is how closely your skills and qualifications match the criteria that have been developed for the job at hand. Other key hiring criteria â€" how well you fit into the company or your motivation â€" are obviously important; but not vital at this stage of the interview process. So as long as you don’t come across as someone who clearly won’t fit, you don’t have to worry as much about these two aspects of your interview performance as you do in later interviews. The important things to focus on during a screening interview are: Being able to cite specific examples that verify the information in your resume. Being able to articulate a clear, concise, and convincing reason for why you are interested in this particular job. Being able to defend any obvious weaknesses in your resume  (the fact that you got to the screening interview to begin with probably means that you don’t have any apparent weaknesses to defend). Responding to questions in an open, direct way that communicates to your interviewer that you have nothing to hide. Gathering information about the position that can give you a clearer idea of the job, the company, the culture, and the person who will make the final hiring decision. Even though the person interviewing you during a screening interview may be a mid-level employee with little influence on the hiring decision and no in-depth knowledge of the position, act as though he or she does. Be respectful and convey patience. Remember, before you can proceed to the next stage of the interviewing process, you have to get by the screener. The selection interview In a selection interview, you can assume that your basic qualifications are no longer a primary issue in the hiring decision. If you weren’t qualified for the job, you wouldn’t be talking to the decision-maker(s). Your strategy should be to focus on what you can bring to the company  in addition to those basic skills and qualifications. What you want to sell  more than anything else in a selection interview is value. The confirmation interview In most but not all cases, confirmation interviews are making-it-official matters. The person responsible for the hiring decision has decided that you are the candidate of choice but, as a matter of courtesy, is introducing you to his or her boss before finally making the offer. Keep in mind that you don’t have to sell yourself too hard during a confirmation interview. You simply have to be on your best behavior and not do anything that would cause anyone to flinch! Stay somewhat guarded, and keep your opinions to yourself! If you’ve made it this far, you should be able to handle the confirmation with grace and confidence â€" moving toward that written offer and your new position! What are your thoughts about the three phases of interviews? I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.

Motivation Monday Things You Didnt Know About Job Search

Motivation Monday Things You Didnt Know About Job Search Have you just discovered there were things you didnt know about job search? Its not your fault. They changed some of the rules on you while you werent paying attention. But, there some easy fixes you can today that will greatly improve your future success. The Curse of Knowledge Have you heard any of these sayings before? You dont know what you dont know If I knew then what I know now At this point in time, you only know about the things youve taken time to learn or what youve been exposed to through your life experiences. Think about this for a second or two. Enter the four stages of competence.   *credit Wikipedia   What stage are you in when it comes to your job search? Can you see why you dont know about some of the changes in job search? If you havent had to look for a job within the last year, doesnt it make sense that there are things you didnt know about job search? By TyIzaeL This file was derived from:  Competence Hierarchy adapted from Noel Burch by Igor Kokcharov.jpg  by  Kokcharov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link 3 Things You Didnt Know About Job Search The rules and procedures in job search have changed. Id like to bring you up to speed and help you understand how companies fill jobs, how they decide who to interview and what you can do to improve your efforts! How companies really fill jobs Pay attention to the green bars! Those represent the percent  of hires. The blue bars are  interviews. 30ish% came from REFERRALS Less than 30% came from INDEED.com Image via SilkRoads 2017 Report Or look at this data 41% of the highest quality new hires  come from EMPLOYEE REFERRALS What this means is that youre more likely to secure a new job if you are referred. And the only way to get referred is to know people. Your current network probably isnt large enough to net you job opportunities, so this means youll need to grow the number of people you know. The best way to grow your network Develop a list of companies you would like to work with and target them. Your goal is to meet people who work inside the company so you can potentially get referred when there is an opening. Applying blindly to online job postings is futile. Your odds of getting hired are slim. Invest time doing the work and developing relationships! That will be a life-long payoff. This is how companies select candidates to interview They use ATS (applicant tracking systems) and search the pool of applications by keywords to select only a small percentage of applicants. Some research says that out of 250 resumes, 4-6 are interviewed and only one is hired. Life-Long Learning Thats the secret that will not only help your job search but will also help you in your career. Become more inquisitive. Just this one simple change in your daily outlook will help you learn and open your mind. Adopting the notion of being a life-long-learning can help you pivot into new directions, adapt to the rapid changes of corporate life, and even to live longer.