Any teachers out there? August baby...Summer pay/Maternity? Fixed term contract? Help!

[ceebelle83]

Hello,

I posted a similar post a few weeks ago but don't think I was very clear on the full ins-and-outs of my situation and the advice left me even more obfuscated.

I am nearing the end of a one year, fixed term contract (01/09/14-31/08/2015) in a primary school. The last day of term is 17th July and my baby is due on the 20th of August.

Now...what I am really confused about (and can't seem to find the definite answer to) is whether I:

a) have to start my maternity from the last day worked (17th July) and miss out on the full summer pay for 6 weeks (which is the rest of salary for 9 months in school spread out over 12 months ie money I've already bloody earned!!) whilst receiving 90% SMP

b) am able to start my maternity from my due date of 20th August

c) (Now, this one is a suggestion from a colleague, assuming that option (a) is the case and option (b) is impossible/not allowed) I don't apply for SMP in order to keep my full summer pay and apply for Maternity Allowance after my baby is born.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can furnish me with a definitive answer to this quandary!

[balletgirlmum]

As far as I am aware you can apply for your maternity leave to start on your due date unless you happen to give birth early.

It would be a different situation if your fixed term contract ended in July rather than August.

[PotteringAlong]

No, you can start on your due date

[balletgirlmum]

Option C won't be allowed if you were employed in your qualifying week (which you will have been)

[ceebelle83]

I hope this is the case balletgirlmum but I can't seem to find definitive confirmation of it anywhere. Waiting to hear back from my union.
My head doesn't know definitively either and has only given me the slightly vague application form with none of the supporting documents to fill it in!

[museumum]

Your contract runs to 31 August and you'd be paid till then if not pregnant so I can't see any reason at all why you'd go on Mat leave before your EDD??

[ceebelle83]

Thanks balletgirlmum and potteringalong
I hope this is the case. The form asks "What will be your last working day" or words to that effect rather than asking the day I'd like to commence my maternity, so that's where part of the confusion lies!

[ceebelle83]

museumum I keep hearing different things about maternity and teachers, hence why I have been so confused. I do hope this is the case though!

[balletgirlmum]

Your last working day will be 29th August.

[balletgirlmum]

Sorry 19th

[balletgirlmum]

It's fairly common in teaching for the start date to be the EDD

[ceebelle83]

Thanks balletgirlmum I'll stick 19th of August on the form and hope for the best ;)

[balletgirlmum]

It's only the same as someone in a non teaching profession to take a few weeks of their holiday entitlement before commencing maternity.

[ceebelle83]

Ahh...that's really interesting! Thanks

[doobeedee]

Yep it should be your due date. If anyone try's to tell you otherwise, they're wrong. Make sure you don't get ripped off!

[icklekid]

Definitely due date!

[ceebelle83]

Thanks guys!

[Cupcakesandlove]

Hi I work in a school you can start your maternity pay from the day your due or whenever you happen to give birth. Your pay is spread out across the year so regardless you will be paid over the 6 weeks.