I am a little nervous about asking this. I need to ask though - as I may need to know.
Ok, so I am an NHS employee, and am on maternity leave. Due to return end of April after 6 months leave. I have a birth injury which is causing me problems. This may resolve itself please please please.
I was seen in outpatient clinic today to have it reviewed. I am told that they will not do anything for me before 6 months as a) it may resolve itself and b) it has to be given time to heal. I asked begged for something to be done sooner, as there is no way I could return to work at this level of discomfort particularly given the level of physical activity alternated with sitting - both are uncomfortable, differing in levels of pain over the day. (It is a very big and painful episiotomy, along with significant pelvic floor problems and vaginal pain on opening bowels :( )
I will be due back to work when my baby is just over 5 months old. I asked about having a repair before this date, as it feels like I have been stitched incorrectly. I was told no. I asked about work. I was told my GP should sign me off sick if I was unable to return.
But the problem is - I am the main (significantly main) earner in my household. I am desperately worried about the financial implications of this. I had to save for the 6 months maternity leave. I only have enough savings to last me til the end of the 6 months. I did not anticipate needing to be off longer than this. I have checked my works sickness/absence policy, along with the maternity policy, but the question I have is not answered.
If I had to be off sick for the repair to be done at 6 months, how would sick pay be calculated? Unsocial hour payments are almost a quarter of my wage. Someone suggested to me that I would receive full pay minus the unsocial enhancements as this is calculated over the previous 3 months earnings. As I will be receiving maternity pay (attracting half pay plus smp) I will not have earned anything to be entitled to 'full' sick pay as in unsocial enhancements. Can anyone tell me what the official line is on this one?
Sorry it is a bit long winded. I'm worried, and nervous - if you ask anything these days people seem to think you are a money grabber. All I want is to keep a roof over my family, and put food on the table without the debt collectors knocking at the door.
(Also don't want to ring work and ask just yet as it may be a non issue - it may well resolve itself, fingers tightly crossed.)
Any advice? Thanks.
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Sickness following maternity leave - NHS unsocial hour payments.
23 replies
TheDetective · 17/01/2013 23:20
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