NHS Mat pay and reduced hours

[tigerlily0]

Hi all, iv searched for this and not got a proper answer. Iv already contacted HR and they are taking the mick in getting back.

I have read in the policy they will calculate mat pay taking an average over certain weeks (I think weeks 17-25). If I then reduced my hours after this time- it wont affect my maternity pay right? As it's already been calculated?

I want the last month or so on reduced hours because I get really bad spd and work will be fine with me reducing hours, but I wanted to make sure it doesn't affect my mat pay. Does anyone know?

Yes your mat pay is calculated on the hours you worked from 17 weeks to 25 weeks

But you really should wait for HR to confirm

I believe that it shouldn’t affect it, but you’d need to check, especially if you were to formally reduce your contract.

As another idea would it be possible to use annual leave to reduce the amount of time you are in work without reducing your hours?

Thanks both, yea definitely waiting for confirmation from HR

@GunsNShips you're right I was thinking that because my annual will restart April 2023 so I will have annual leav to take before I go on Mat leave in May

HR didn't know either so she is going to ask payroll. I even mentioned to her the policy doesn't even state what maternity pay is- ie how many weeks you get paid what. She was shocked it wasn't in there.

That's poor form.

Just be careful that that doesn't just apply to your statutory mat pay (i.e. if you reduced your hours would that mean that your enhanced mat pay would be less?)

If possible could you use any annual leave you have now to reduce your hours in your last month? Our just take some unpaid leave each month without actually reducing your hours.

I’d be cautious because I know that if, for example, you moved up a band or had a pay rise after the qualifying period then this pay increase can be reflected in your total Mat pay. So I’d go through your trusts policy carefully & wait to see what they say. Maybe plan to use AL hours to reduce your working days as a back up plan.

Having said that, you can work as much as overtime or bank as you like in your qualifying weeks and this is included in your mat pay, without being required to continue working those additional hours for the rest of your pregnancy, so you might be fine! Just wait for
HR to give you the answer.

Can you not use annual leave or time owing to reduce your hours, that’s what I did for SPD

If your SPD is the reason I would consider asking your GP for a fit note. A fit note isn’t just sign you off sick it can recommend that you are fit for work but need these adjustments.

In your case your GP could advise you work reduced hours from week 26 to week 35. It could even state a phased reduction e.g start with 1 hour a day increasing to 2 hours week 28 etc. Think about what you need before you ask the GP as they will write what you ask for.

It will depend on your employer, but it is possible the hours reduction are added up and when they reach a day it is treated as sick with sick pay. This way you don’t lose your salary but are paid a mixture of pay and sick pay.

Thanks everyone, good suggestions and a lot to think about. My job is desk based and I do try and have breaks so hopefully I can manage my spd. With my last 2 I was on my feet 8hrs a day.
@FlippityFlippityFlop good shout- il have a look at that