Maternity Pay

[Hayley1210]

Hi there, not sure if the are any matnity pay genius' out there, but I have a question that I'll post anyway. I have been on maternity leave and am approaching the end of my 26 weeks. I worked full time during my qualifying period (which I Think is about the 15th weeks before edd). I am on a good scheme at work whereby I was paid full pay for first eight weeks, then half pay plus smp for another 18 weeks, then the option of a further 12 weeks on just smp which I plan to take.

 

In the last eight weeks of my problematic pregnancy I had to cut my hours at work, which has resulted in my full pay and the half pay being a lot less. I accepted this, but now I am told it is the qualifying period that matters, not what I worked before I left. I really don't understand, and wondered if there is any advice out there.

If the info I am to,d is correct, couldn't anyone just bump up their hours during the qualifying period.

 

I am planning to return to work part ti e to the hours I was doing just before I left.

 

Best wishes,

Hayley

[Kevin Bolt]

I think your best option is to give the Gingerbread helpline a call as they will have the information or be able to direct you to someone who can assist. They are on 0808 802 0925 and their hours are:

 

Mondays: 10am to 6pm

Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays: 10am to 4pm

Wednesdays: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm.

 

Your call is completely free if you call from a landline or from the following mobile phone networks - 3, T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2, Orange, Virgin.

 

If you are in Scotland the number is: 0808 801 0323

 

The factsheets they produce are available at http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/Factsheets_ModuleResults.aspx?FactsheetCategoryID=2

[Hayley1210]

Thank you Kevin much appreciated

[mariefab]

To qualify for 39 weeks of Statutory maternity pay you simply need to earn at least the lower earnings limit during weeks 17-25 of your pregnancy.

 

However, if your employer provides enhanced contractual maternity pay in addition to SMP they can determine their own rules.

So, they could use a different qualifying period ( although many seem to use the same as SMP), decide whatever rate of pay they like, stipulate that you must return to work for a minimum period after the leave ends or refund the enhanced pay etc.

 

It's likely that your employer has a documented policy describing their contractual maternity pay scheme. You could ask for a copy.