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,