SMP and "continuous service"

[mcsquared]

How continuous is continuous? I've worked in the NHS for over 3 years and will be starting a new job in a new area but still within the NHS, hopefully within the next couple of weeks (still waiting on CRB checks and start date). However, my contract with my current job ends this week.

This means that although my service within the NHS is continuous, technically there's a gap in my employment between ending this job and starting the next due to me not getting a start date in time. Being an idiot, I didn't think to tag on annual leave to the end of my contract which would have solved financial worries. : (

Does this mean that I'm not entitled to SMP? I'm around 7-8 weeks now.

Quite confused!

Not sure how this affects you getting SMP from the NHS - may be worthwhile talking to your HR department?

However, in the event that they say you don't qualify for SMP, if you've worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before your due date, you can claim Maternity Allowance from the government.
You don't get the first 6 weeks at 90% of salary (assuming you earn more than SMP), but after that it's the same amount as SMP.

Maternity Allowance Guidelines

According to the current NHS handbook "a break in service of three months or less will be disregarded" so you should be OK, but wise to check with HR.

Fab, thank you both for your help! That's put my mind at rest a little. I'll check with HR - I just haven't told my new boss yet about my pregnancy so didn't know where to go!