After the first six months of my maternity leave, my boss and two other colleagues left their jobs. My only remaining colleague was promoted to be my boss. So, upon my return I worked for this person who had little qualifications, poor communication, bad knowledge etc. He was only promoted because he was fortunate enough to be there when I had to go on maternity leave. Totally distraught, I left my job to start a career on my own. Although I love the immense improvement, I can tell you that getting pregnant is a suicide on your career. Looking back had I have known this would happen, I would probably have never got pregnant in the first place. Working mothers not only need maternity pay, but they need some sort of role assurance when they are back. But if that is not possible, why not make it clear upfront so the decision making could be well informed. Those expecting to come back to the same roles, just wake up to the fact that is never going to happen.