How will reducing my hours affect maternity pay?

[RockerMummy184]

I'm struggling to cope with my working week and thinking of asking my boss if I can reduce my hours until I go on maternity leave, but I'm wondering how this will affect my maternity pay.

I am salaried, our company do not offer matrenity package, so I will receive 6 weeks pay at 90% then SMP for the remainder of my leave. If I go on mat leave while I'm working my normal hours, I will therefore receive 90% of my salary for that 6 weeks, if I reduce my hours for a few weeks until I leave will I still get 90% of my salary or 90% of what I am earning when in the weeks running up to when I leave?

Any help would be appreciated. TIA.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Your Mat Leave 90percent amount is worked out at 25 weeks so if you are passed this point you will be fine. My friend got a massive bonus that week and even that was taken into consideration

[RockerMummy184]

Oh wow! So the fact I have been earning bonus each month on top of my salary will all be included when they calculate how much I am entitled to?

[LadyOrangutan]

Yep, it will. and if they don't include that then you can fight it because it is calculated on what you are actually paid during the qualifying period, not what you salary officially is.

[Scarydinosaurs]

Woah woah- that isn't burgundy book- it's not the same for every employer.

You need to check your maternity leave entitlement.

[RockerMummy184]

Wahoo! Fantastic news! Thanks ladies. :-)

[Scarydinosaurs]

think where did you find that info? I'm certain that wasn't how mine was calculated?

[trilbydoll]

The 90% is calculated on your average salary for weeks 17-25 (I think!)

It includes everything, the guidance is on gov.uk somewhere, the intention is to protect people who earn a very low basic salary but get huge amounts of commission. So that 6 weeks shouldn't make a huge difference to your income.

[trilbydoll]

www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/spmmanual/SPM20805.htm

Says at the bottom that earnings are anything subject to Class 1 NIC, ie salary, overtime, bonus etc.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Yes, it should be calculated based on your qualifying weeks. There are some calculators online for when these are exactly but it's when trilbydoll said.

I know some women that have benefitted from bonus time being in these weeks (there's a few well timed pregnancies in banking!) and some that have lost out by being on unpaid sick

[worldsworstmum2015]

I was working 32 hrs at around 20 weeks I reduced to 24 hrs I was paid my 90% based on the 32hrs hope this helps

[UpUpAndAway123]

Could you not get docs 'fit note' that recommends a reduced working pattern? My sister did this, worked shorter shifts but still got paid for full time. She works in public sector. I am sure the thought is that a business would prefer you to he there for some hours rather than paying you to be off sick.
As someone else has stated, mat pay calculated weeks 17-25 so if after this then you will be fine if you can't do the above x