Ordinary parental leave
Michelle Munro (HR advisor)
Eligibility: one year of continuous service Maximum of 18 weeks unpaid leave, per child, up to a child’s 18th birthday.
Maximum four weeks in any one calendar year.
This benefit has been invaluable to me as a parent of school age children. The practicalities and cost of finding activities during their school holidays is challenging, so for me this is the perfect solution. It also enables me to be a full-time mum for a few weeks a year, minimising the parental guilt I sometimes feel by working.
Maternity leave, qualification funding, KIT days, staff benefits
Gagan Grewal (Finance officer)
In September 2021, I went on maternity leave after the birth of my son. During my maternity leave, I had the opportunity to study The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 5 advanced diploma. I had applied and received sponsorship funding from St Mary’s, which helped cover approximately 60% of the cost. St. Mary’s University, the Finance department and my line manager were very supportive and have encouraged my development in procurement.
The syllabus of CIPS Level 5 consisted of a total of eight exams. This involved a lot of prioritising and balancing the duties of looking after a new baby while undertaking a study plan. After careful organization and support from my family, I was able to study and revise the topics that enabled me to sit the exams, starting in November 2021 through to July 2022. I passed all eight exam to receive my CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma.
I enjoyed studying this qualification in procurement and it has provided me with the knowledge required to develop in my role. Later in my maternity leave, I used my “keeping in touch” days to work on specific projects and also plan for my return to work. This also provided a trial run on the childcare arrangements and gave an insight into working full-time as a parent. I returned to work in September 2022.
Currently I have been looking at the workplace nursery scheme which saves tax and national insurance on childcare, via salary sacrifice, the minimum spend required with the nursery to access this scheme is £650. I aim to continue with my studies, in undertaking CIPS Level 6 leading to the full MCIPS qualification, once my son has settled within his nursery.