The Parenthood Penalty: a webinar from Octopus Money in partnership with Peppy

Expert clinical and financial insight on where the parenthood penalty starts and how to close the gap

Most employers have invested in maternity leave. Many have return to work policies. But more than a quarter of women who go on maternity leave in the UK do not come back, or leave within 12 months. The cost of each departure is over £30,000, and the reason most of them leave has nothing to do with pay or ambition. It is the support gap. And it opens much earlier than most employers realise.

Octopus Money's research shows that parental leave carries a hidden financial penalty that quietly erodes employee trust, financial security and long term commitment, starting from the moment leave begins. Meanwhile, Peppy have found that parents are navigating pregnancy, birth recovery, infant feeding, postnatal mental health and an identity shift largely without support. By the time they return to work, those challenges haven't gone away.

This session will give HR and Benefit leaders:

• A clear view of how the parenthood penalty affects retention, absence, engagement and long-term workforce planning.
• Findings from Octopus Money's research on the hidden pension gap created during parental leave, and why it matters.
• A practical understanding from Peppy of the clinical challenges driving presenteeism, absence and delayed returns.
• Actionable steps to close the support gap before it becomes a risk to your business.
• Expert guidance on how to build a joined-up parenthood support strategy.
• A live Q&A to answer your specific questions.

Host: Tom Francis, Head of Personal Finance, Octopus Money

Panel

Genevieve West, Lead Pregnancy and Parenthood Practitioner, Peppy

Genevieve, an experienced midwife with over 14 years in diverse midwifery practice, has worked across high- and low-dependency obstetric units, maternity assessment units, and midwifery-led centers. Since joining Peppy in 2022, she has embraced its mission to empower and support families. Passionate about education, she enjoys teaching, learning, and sharing knowledge within Peppy’s pregnancy and parenthood team. Dedicated to compassionate care, she strives to guide families through the challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood with confidence and support.

Mooka Maboshe, Financial Adviser, Octopus Money

Mooka began her career in financial services 13 years ago as an aspiring Actuary. She now serves clients as a qualified financial adviser, building on her background as an accredited financial coach. She is well regarded in the industry for her strong focus on financial literacy and advocacy. Mooka frequently shares her expertise on issues around the intersection of culture, community, wealth gaps. For example, she has discussed her personal journey from Zambia to South Wales and how background influences money habits on Octopus Money's "Keep the Change" podcast.

Emma Ward, Strategic CSM, Peppy

Emma is a Strategic CSM at Peppy, with over a decade of experience partnering with clients to drive measurable impact through workplace benefits. Navigating life with two pre-school children, she brings a personal passion and professional expertise to the mission of empowering working mothers and helping HR teams build robust support strategies.

Laura Noble, Head of Employer Success, Octopus Money

Laura is Head of Client Success at Octopus Money, where she has spent the last five years partnering with employers to make financial wellbeing a valued part of the employee experience. With a background spanning client success, partnerships and commercial strategy, Laura is passionate about turning great ideas into practical programmes that employees genuinely engage with, helping more people build confidence with their money.