new maternity leave?

[pingdriver]

I'm currently on maternity leave and due to go back to work in Jan. Recently found out I'm pregnant again.

I am planning to go back to work and take another block of maternity again. Anyone any idea how long I need to go back to work for before I can take maternity leave again? and are they required to pay full maternity entitlement again?

Thank you.

[RibenaBerry]

There is no need to return to work to be entitled to maternity leave - you could even have two sets of maternity leave back to back. You just need to be an employee.

On pay, any enhanced maternity pay the company can set its own rules, and you may need to return to be eligible. However, generally they simply pay out again. For SMP, it is worked out on your earnings in (roughly) your second trimester, so if you on SMP only, or the unpaid portion of maternity leave, you may not qualify for much second time round.

Congratulations!

[pingdriver]

Thanks RibenaBerry. Out of interest am also thinking about taking a career break. Am i right in thinking i need to go back for a month before taking extended break otherwise I would need to pay back maternity.............??

[RibenaBerry]

Do you work in the NHS or local government by any chance? Career breaks are something offered by the specific employer, not set out by law. So it's up to your employer what they do. If it's a big employer like the NHS, if you say I'm sure someone on MN will know their particular procedures.

If you do need to go back, check whether you can use accrued holiday to cover this, or whether it needs to be 'active service'.

[pingdriver]

thanks. Its a central government dept. will have a check through paperwork!

[hairylights]

There is no payback of statutory maternity pay if you don't return.

If your employer pays enhanced maternity pay, your employer will have it's own policy on any pay back if you leave. This varies among employers so you'll need to check with them.

[RibenaBerry]

Hairy - totally agree. I wasn't completely clear - I was talking about enhanced maternity.

[OneOf8]

In short depends on the employer - for example, I had to return for 3 months to keep my enhanced element, but other companys may be longer.

You can google "HMRC MATERNITY CALCULATOR" - its aimed at employers to calculate SMP, and therefore confirms your "qualifying weeks average pay"

You may find this helpful to get a rough idea of minimum finances - whilst waiting on the confirmation regarding current policy for enhanced.

Congratulations!