Someone help...maternity pay

[Vickysuz]

Hi everyone. I've just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant and freaking out big time. I've up to now focussed solely on my career and haven't really ever desperately wanted a child. If it happened after so long in a loving relationship then perfect but I wanted to do the whole career thing first! I'm 32 years old and am now in a great place within my career but also just started a higher position as management in education. I have been continuously employed with the local council for 2 years although have just started a new role within the same council in a different setting. Do I qualify for maternity pay? The pregnancy was obviously unplanned and I am in a new relationship too so it's all a bit messed up! I know it'll work out but I don't want to struggle and I don't want to have to give up or lose this very important job that I've worked so hard to get. Any advice would be greatly appreciated x

It’s not quite as straight forward as this - but a fairly good barometer is if you were already working for that employer when you conceived you probably qualify for maternity pay (the actual dates need working out carefully; but in a rough way that works) x congratulations x

Yes you will be entitled to statutory maternity pay. A change in job is not a change in employer. If your LA is the same as ours you will probably get 12 weeks at half pay too. Look at your policies there will be a maternity policy to look at.

No one can answer this for you without you looking at your LA's maternity policy and/or taking advice from HR. So take a deep breath and do that on Monday (or today if you can log on from home).

Do you want the baby?

If you're a teacher, you'll be covered by the Burgundy Book regulations as a minimum but your LA might give more than that