Will I be eligible for maternity pay?

[Juniper44]

Hello,

Hoping someone can help me out!

I'm currently employed on a fixed term contract, due to expire on 31st August. I haven't spoken to my school about what will happen next year, so have to assume that they won't be keeping me on.

Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage last week and so DP and I are in a bit of a should-we-shouldn't-we debate about whether to try again. Money is the primary issue.

If I got pregnant and were due in December, would I get any maternity pay through school? I would be about 26 or 27 weeks by the end of the contract, but wouldn't be employed by the time I was 29 weeks (which is the earliest I could take maternity leave).

I've Googled it but am still confused. I even tried contacting my union but they just directed me to their general info about maternity rights. I have worked for the same borough for numerous years, and will have worked for more than 26 weeks in my current job. The issue is, I won't be able to start my maternity leave during the contract, so I don't know if I get anything through the school.

If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions or comments that'd be really appreciated. Or a direction to point me in!

Thanks

[MaraThonbar]

I'm sorry for your loss

I don't have direct experience of this but I don't believe that you would be entitled to maternity pay, unfortunately. The only way to achieve this would be to find another role within the same LA to preserve your continuity of service. Sorry.

[Casmama]

See here

If you have worked for 26 weeks by the time it is 15 weeks before your due date then yes.

[Casmama]

I think that your due date would need to be 7th of December at the very latest which would mean conceiving in the next fortnight. I'm sorry for your loss too.

[SaltySeaBird]

You could get maternity allowance even if you can't get maternity pay. It's the same as SMP just without the 90% for six weeks.

Sorry for your loss, I'd suggest just try and see what happens. I had my last miscarriage in July last year and I've not managed to fall pregnant again yet - it's just something you can't always plan.