84

of 200 signatures

Open letter: Barnardo's maternity policy


Dear Javed Khan, CEO at Barnardo's and Wendy Becker, Chair of the Board of Trustees,

I recently considered applying for a job at your organisation, believing that it would be fulfilling to work for a charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children across the UK. However, I have since discovered that your maternity leave policy only offers women 50% of pay for 12 weeks.

I have a small baby at home and the life-changing experience of giving birth is still very fresh in my mind. This policy means many of your employees will face financial hardship or returning to work when they have barely recovered from the physical and emotional experience of giving birth. You may claim the organisation offers other benefits, but there should be no trade-off when it comes to maternity leave. Women (and men) need time to recover and look after their babies without financial worry.

In addition, Barnardo's claims to transform ""the lives of the most vulnerable children across the UK through the work of our services, campaigning and research expertise. We believe we can bring out the very best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, sexual exploitation, disability or domestic violence."" Does this apply to the children of your employees because your maternity leave policy suggests it doesn't.

In comparison, Save the Children offers full-pay for 21 weeks. Women at Oxfam are entitled to 12 weeks full pay and then 27 weeks SMP plus 15% salary, Christian Aid offers 16 weeks full pay and 18 weeks half pay.

Barnardo's has a budget of over £300 million and a CEO who is paid more than the Prime Minister. It is not good enough to say that, as a charity, you cannot afford to look after your employees. There is enough money - but perhaps not the will.

A while ago Javed gave an interview saying that charities are in ""in the depths of a serious crisis of trust"". This has only got worse. And yet here is another example of an organisation failing to practice what it preaches.

I will no longer be applying for a job at your organisation. But I am asking you to treat your employees better. Please practice what you preach and give women a fair deal on maternity leave.

Regards,

Sign the open letter

Signers list

Leonie Graham
Ute Page
Anne Theuerkauf
Sonja Potenze
Matt Pickles
Georgi York
Abraham Baldry
Ellie Kennedy
Gabriel Davalos
Doug Morgan
Aidan Smith
Fathi Abdullahi
Antonia Staats
Jess
Lobastoto
Rachel Quinn
Graeme Jeffries
Eric Yen
India Thorogood
Alena Ivanova
Lee Murphy
Ahoviroizihot
Amanda Greenwood
Rich Shakespeare
Clare Wilcox
Katie Dickerson
Showkat Ahmad Wani
Gill Bowden
Kate Laing
Rachel Fox
Jack Noble
Mel Godber
Tom Stawski
Karen Larbi
Texroarie
Usman Mohammed
Megan Bentall
Nat Whalley
Sam Martin
Chloe Taylor Gee
Laura Clarke
Amy Lockwood
Anna
Ella Kerr-Mccutcheon
Anne Shirely
Macauley Parr
Thomas Greenwood
G D B Webster

Open letter: Barnardos maternity policy

Next step - spread the word

You're signing this as

Not you? Click here

Open letter: Barnardos maternity policy

Will you chip in?

I'm chipping in £0

Secure lock symbol

Your donation is

One off Monthly

Choose your contribution amount

£200

Thanks, we just need a few more details to set up your direct debit.

Change your contribution amount

First name
Last name
Your email
Address (line 1)
Town
Your postcode
Account name
Account number
Sort code
Thank you for your donation. Please hold on while we process your details securely.