Boss being hard work about maternity pay

[siennah0111]

Hi! I'm pretty new to mumsnet so please be nice!
I'm having major issues with my job giving me maternity pay. So payday hasn't even come yet, but my boss has had my MATB1 form since the end of November. The form was sent to the accountant who deals with all of the money and payslips. After asking and asking and asking, and now actually being on maternity leave, I haven't been told whats going to be happening in the eyes of wether I'll be getting maternity pay or not. I understand they should've given me the SMP1 form if they couldn't pay me or I didn't meet the criterial, but I do and I know full well my job would be able to pay me this money, it's just down to wether they want to or not. My boss has only ever given me the response of 'I don't know how to do it' or 'I'm figuring it out', but obviously I need to know what's happening in terms of me getting paid per month. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you x

Paper trail. Email saying I did this on this date and not heard. Just like you gave but more factual.

Then state
This query was raised 4 months plus ago and I’m not on maternity leave. Please could you let me know the situation within 48 hours so I can plan my finances accordingly.

Copy in HR and union (if you have one)

@Prettynails I've emailed and been completely ignored, I've even gone in to talk to him and just been shrugged off. I can't take any action until the 5th when I'm actually supposed to receive my pay. my boss is so difficult when it comes to parting with money even though he can claim it back :(

This is from Maternity Action

I have given my employer notice of my maternity leave and pay, as well as my MATB1 form, but my employer has not told me if I will get SMP. Does my employer have to give me a decision about my maternity pay?
If you are not entitled to SMP, your employer must give you form SMP1 stating why you do not qualify for SMP. Your employer must also give back your MATB1 maternity certificate so that you can make a claim for Maternity Allowance. Do not delay claiming Maternity Allowance while you are waiting for these documents as a claim can only be backdated for three months from the start of your Maternity Allowance period.
If your employer delays paying your SMP or delays giving you an SMP1 form you should contact HMRC Statutory Payments Disputes Team on 0300 322 9422 (see Where to go for more help). You should tell your employer if you are going to contact HMRC as this may prompt them to resolve it.

@Bagadverts this is great! Thank you so much x

Can you ask to contact the accountant directly if your boss is unhelpful?

Sounds like it's a very small company without internal HR and payroll services?

Are you the first employee to take maternity leave? Any staff handbook or details of entitlement in your contract?

@BarbaraofSeville I have and he refused to give me any contact details which is annoying. It is a very small business and we only have 5 members of staff, but I know full well they would be able to pay it. I am the first member of staff to be taking Mat leave x