To ask about maternity rights

[TheCatsMothersCousin]

So... I have a new job. Only just started & am pregnant (TTC for a while with no luck and of course it happens when I decide I'm not going to let it stop me living my life..not that I'm complaining).

This may be a stupid question but I'm just a bit nervous about the whole thing.

Firstly i am still in probation but won't be by the time I HAVE to tell work. I read online that they can't fire someone even in their probation period for simply being pregnant but I imagine they can use other excuses if they wanted so thinking I'll hold on telling until after it's up.

I've read that to receive maternity pay from your employer you have to have worked for them for 26 weeks BEFORE the 15 week prior to due date notice you have to get them of the pregnancy. Am I right in thinking that this will just mean that whilst I will get statutory maternity pay, I won't get anything additional from my employer?

Also, my main question is... Does the 26 week rule apply only to pay? As in, they still have to allow me the normal maternity leave and have a job for me to come back to afterwards right? They just won't pay me for it?

Sorry I sound rambly but my head is spinning a bit. I want to be excited. I feel a bit of a fool for changing jobs at this time now!!

They still have to allow maternity leave (I believe) but it's just the amount of pay/type of pay you get will be different
There is maternity allowance
Maternity pay
Extras your work may pay

You won’t get SMP.

Literally the same thing happened to me. I had losses and so decided to halt things for a bit and lo and behold, got pregnant and so far everything seems okay thank God.

However I’m entitled to absolutely no pay. Full leave entitlements of course.

My employers have been really good about it. I thought they’d be really annoyed.

Were you pregnant before you started the job? If so i think you have to apply for maternity allowance from the government as you won't be entitled to SMP from the company.

Most companies require you to work there 1 or 2 years before being entitled to enhanced maternity pay.

If you are off for 6 months or less they have to keep your job available, if its between 6-12 months it doesn't have to be the same job, just equivelent.

Don't forget you have to had your MAT B1 form in by 25 weeks to arrange maternity leave.

And unfortunately, being in a job under 2 years makes it very easy for them to fire you. If they are unhappy you are pregnant, they may try to find other reasons to let you go

@BlairWaldorfsHeadband can you not get maternuty allowance from the government?

LazyPuppy

In my case no, because I was out of work due to health complications from previous losses and so haven’t worked for enough time in the year to claim it.

OP might be able to though if she has been in work before this.

PP SMP is statutory maternity pay usually paid to you through your employer from the government

OP you need to check your own emplpyers maternity policy to see your entitlement. People at my place are entitled to differrnt packages depending pn length of service

And yes theyd have to keep a job open for you but of you too extended maternity leave it wouldn't have to be the same job but a job of the same grade. X

Does their maternity policy include enhanced pay, many only pay smp and even if there is a policy to enhance there may be conditions such as length of service, grade or return to work placed upon it. If you were already pg when you started you won't get smp or occupational maternity pay but may get maternity allowance. Other maternity rights should apply though.

Will you have worked there for 26 weeks by the 15th week before your EDD? That's the requirement for 'normal' maternity pay (SMP). Employers can set their own requirements for anything additional they may chose to pay. If you won't have worked there for 26 weeks there's an alternative called Maternity Allowance but that doesn't come through your employer.

Hi all, right - thank you so much for the info.

I've just done a calculator and I am eligible for maternity allowance according to the Gov website. I don't know if it makes a difference that my partner is self employed? That was one of the questions anyway.

I have literally gone from one job to another so I have worked the required amount just not for the same company.

@LazyPuppy yes I was but I didn't know before I started iyswim. I probably would have just stayed at my old place if I had.

One thing... It says on the Gov site you can claim maternity allowance from 26 weeks. I assume this means if you start maternity early not that you can claim before you go on maternity leave?

I sound completely dumb I know. I'm just so shocked it's actually happened now!!

I said to myself I'm not going to let TTC problems run my life and I'm going to go for that job I want and BAM.

You can put your claim in from 26 weeks, not go on mat leave from then. You'll be paid once you're on mat leave, which can be from 11 weeks before your EDD.

That makes more sense 😂 thanks @isittimeforbed