Any advice please? Voluntary redundancy before mat leave

[16more]

I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant due to go on mat leave around the 24th october. I’m still furloughed and my employer has told me I won’t be coming back before mat leave. We’ve all had an email saying they want some people to take voluntary redundancy. I’m quite tempted as I know I won’t be returning to work after baby no. 3 but I’m just wondering if anyone knows how it would then affect my mat leave, would I get government pay even though I made myself redundant?

I think if your made redundant after your qualifying week the employing company have to pay your statutory maternity pay on top of any redundancy payment. It would usually be paid as a lump sum payment

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/redundancy-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/

Have a read of this. You would be entitled to receive SMP if you have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks at the qualifying week (qualifying week =15 weeks before the week your baby is due) and meet the earnings requirement (average £200 in the 8 weeks or 2 months before the end of the qualifying week)

If you don't meet the criteria for getting SMP you may be able to claim maternity allowance instead.

Actually, voluntary redundancy doesn't exist. It's a misnomer. It is actually a mutually agreed termination of contract, and the terms of it are whatever you and the employer agree that they are. So what might apply in a "real redundancy" situation doesn't have to apply in this situation. In terms of statutory benefits, it is usual for voluntary redundancy to not be treated as "voluntary" - that is, you aren't penalised for taking it. But that is what has always been the case - unfortunately one can never second guess the DWP.

If the package looks attractive and you know you won't be coming back to work for definite, then it is worth asking if they will lump in an amount equivalent to your maternity pay. They can only say no. Just bear in mind also that there's lots of instability in the economy right now and no job is safe - are you 100% certain that you want to jump now? For example, are you positive any partner you have will have a job? What is currently a "don't want to return to work" may become a "need to return to work" in another years time. Nobody ever knows what the future might bring, but make sure you at least consider that it may not work out as you plan!

Thank you everyone. That’s all helpful. @Moondust001 it’s just because putting 2 children into childcare would be too expensive to make it worth while actually going to work and dm has already said she’s not looking after any more kids unfortunately!