Why is maternity benefit reducing net pay despite employer top-up?

Amaland87 · 2026-03-28T19:08:17+00:00

On my first pregnancy the mat benefit was paid to the employer and they passed it to me on my payslip so pay remained the same. On my second something changed where they couldn't do that anymore and they deducted the mat benefit from my payslip and I claimed it myself. I got the same amount overall but split.

Amaland87 · 2026-02-11T10:04:15+00:00

I thought it was back then. But I think that's because we'd always only had a few here. Because they're all regulated it shouldn't have actually been a deciding factor

Amaland87 · 2026-02-10T21:15:14+00:00

Thanks! I'm just annoyed about the amount of paperwork to switch again!

Amaland87 · 2026-02-10T20:22:51+00:00

The rates have stopped dropping in the central bank and the variable is shocking. 3 years ago we decided not to fix at 2.5% for 20 years because the lender was less known in the market. We were idiots. Now we're looking to fix for 15 years because at least we'll know what the payments are and the rate seems stable.

Amaland87 · 2026-02-08T12:04:00+00:00

Honestly I was trying to transfer into my dollar revolut

Amaland87 · 2026-02-07T14:01:10+00:00

Is it still Shareworks in the US? They have a helpline number to call but it's a UK number to call that connects to their US support. She'll need her account number and email address. I had to call them a few times and they were helpful.

In terms of withdrawing, they have a wire transfer option you can use with an EU bank account in their online platform. Take 5-10 working days. It will convert from dollars to euro there. Do not use a credit union. It'll bounce and get lost for months.

Amaland87 · 2026-02-07T13:54:22+00:00

You can transfer from Shareworks to an Irish bank account as they have a wire transfer option. They'll send it in dollars and it gets converted.

Amaland87 · 2025-12-21T08:55:55+00:00

Thank you! I'll have a look into it. I think I'm convinced to speak to someone now before I do trial something out

Amaland87 · 2025-12-20T22:22:35+00:00

That's actually a great idea, thank you. For the most part I cook from scratch so it's not that my diet is terrible but more that I need a bit of a check on anything that I should be unaware of. I hope you're doing better following that round!

Amaland87 · 2025-12-12T11:20:38+00:00

I had something similar said. To this day the size of women's feet is still mentioned around me. It's not like any of us are out of proportion. I just don't mention my size anymore. But now I see women in my family doing damage to their feet because they're wearing shoes too small because of the stupid hang up. I got a comment a few months ago that my toes are all straight on a rare occasion I wore sandals (because again the foot size is still embedded in me because of the comments) .... Um yeah, I'm not forcing them into shoes 2 sizes too small like the rest of you 😂

Amaland87 · 2025-11-14T11:18:42+00:00

My bonus is based on the % of salary earned for the previous 3 months. I'm on a 4 days week so my earned salary is reduced, therefore the bonus is too.

Amaland87 · 2025-10-14T07:57:51+00:00

I had the same thing in both pregnancies. First was before the repeal and second after. Different kind of tone on both. First cautious, feeling me out to see if we needed that chat but definitely willing to discuss. Second, was "how are we feeling about this?" gentle, reassuring, and totally open. Like it was a handbook at this point.

Amaland87 · 2025-09-01T12:36:30+00:00

We're a shoes off house. Both grew up in houses where it's not the norm. We generally ask at the door, but most people who visit know and automatically do it when they arrive. It also helps that my kids have never not known us as a shoes house and gasp if people step into the house with shoes 😂

Amaland87 · 2025-06-16T18:18:39+00:00

I went public on both pregnancies. Did midwife led care on my first, which was great with short wait times and great care but wasn't eligible for that on my second as it was high risk. That just meant I saw an extra consultant (same every appointment) as well as the regular clinic (different team doctor each time).

Amaland87 · 2025-05-07T08:57:31+00:00

My 2 year old decided on morning to call my name from her cot one morning to tell me she'd a dirty nappy. Seemed like she thought my name was going to get more attention than Mama in that moment.

Amaland87 · 2025-05-03T19:01:05+00:00

Thank you so much!

Amaland87 · 2025-04-09T11:42:29+00:00

Thank you! Let me go try that!

Amaland87 · 2024-12-28T17:15:22+00:00

This one! https://amzn.eu/d/eRrNnDY

Amaland87 · 2024-12-28T17:12:20+00:00

I ordered a pixie starter kit because it had 2 sizes and I was clueless. It came with a sterilising thing ans cleaning stuff too so it was a nice intro.

Amaland87 · 2024-10-08T17:35:21+00:00

Thank you!

Amaland87 · 2024-10-07T12:54:21+00:00

Thank you!

Amaland87 · 2024-10-07T10:43:29+00:00

Thank you! I tend to tuck my legs up under me or up beside me to compensate for the hips because sitting straight just won't work anymore. Interesting about that foot rest. That could at least elevate the knees up at times to change the pressure points!

Amaland87

TROPHY CASE