Taking The Pain Out Of Maternity Cover

Choosing the right time to have a baby and take a career break can be a hard decision for career women. And even though your maternity rights are protected by law, many companies barely hide their often negative reaction to losing such a skilled member of staff.

However a new recruitment firm MaternityCover.com, specialising  solely in maternity cover, launched in London this month and will hopefully see employers concerns about skilled members of staff having babies alleviated.

MaternityCover.com’s unique scheme was born out of founder Paul Jenkins’ belief that recruitment and its fee structure needs to change.

Jenkins says: “It’s time for a fresh approach. Modern technology means that jobs can be filled a lot more quickly and efficiently compared to 20 years ago. But, unbelievably, firms are still charging the same fees.”

Promising to make the transition seamless so that the new staff member fits in from day one and  the business works as smoothly as possible it also provides the mums-to-be with piece of mind when they need to focus elsewhere.

“Maternity leave has been seen as ‘the elephant in the room’ with firms feeling they cannot discuss it with employees,” says Siobhan Freegard, founder of Netmums.com. “But this new service will make the process easier and benefit bosses and mums-to-be. Like all the best ideas, it’s so simple and working mums will feel it helps take the weight of worrying about work off their shoulders.”

As part of it’s unique bid to support expectant mothers, MaternityCover.com will also be giving up to £1,000 cash (or the same value in leading retail vouchers) to every pregnant woman whose vacancy is covered by the agency – the equivalent to seven weeks of statutory maternity pay.

According to a recent report*, newborns cost up to £7,000 to prepare for, with parents spending an average £537 a month on their children.

Founder and CEO of MaternityCover.com, Paul Jenkins, comments: “Having a baby is incredibly exciting, but it can also be extremely challenging on a financial level. We understand this and hopefully our scheme will help by giving every expectant mum who works with MaternityCover.com something to start that journey.”

“Many women worry or feel guilty about taking maternity leave from their career and the impact it can have on their progression,” Founder of TeenBiz UK and finalist of 2008 Apprentice Claire Young says. “Maternitycover.com provides peace of mind and reassurance that your role can continue smoothly whilst you have time to be at home with your babe. It’s been a long time coming!: