I was going to explain about my maternity benefit, or lack of. I work in a freelance kind of way, ie no contract as such, I just get paid for work done, but I have a fixed slot on a friday to do my work (I don't get sick or holiday pay). I normally claim at least £90 a week. To qualify for maternity benefit I have to earn on average about £84 per week, so I should be ok. Apparently its calculated and based on 2 specific month's pay, and these months are non negotiable, based on date written on the matb1 form.
HOWEVER, in month one I was admitted to hospital due to pregnancy complications for a week. I was told to have complete bed rest for another week. So that 4 week month all I earnt was £210 (I don't get sick pay). Month 2, (pay day was end of may) I have just discovered that for whatever reason I was never paid, it should have been £465. I've no idea why I wasn't paid, didn't even realise til today, no wonder we've been skint this month. The pay dept say if I'm owed that money I'll obviously get it but as it will now have to be claimed outside the 2 stipulated months there is no way it can be added to my claim for maternity benefit. I am so mad. I'm going into work tomorrow to see why there was this cock up. I've also made an appt with my dr to see if a letter can be written to explain that my absence from work in month 1 was pregnancy related, and therefore I shouldn't be penalised for it. Not sure what else I can do.
This isn't some little, two-bit, family run business, this is the NHS ffs. I've worked with them for 17 years. The reason they pay me to do the job I do is because I'm half the price of a consultant, they get their pound of flesh from me and at a cheap price too, but give nothing in return. And this is supposed to be the 21st century? Any ideas gratefully appreciated, especially anyone who managed to find a way around the strict '2 month' issue.
Sorry rant over. Gorgeous dresses everyone!