I fell pregnant whilst on maternity leave with my second baby due in January 2025. I was due to return to work in October 2024 but I have notified my employer that I wish to take back to back maternity leaves. I carried forward 5 days holiday, I receive 25 days holiday as standard and then bank holidays on top (8 I believe) so I should have around 38 days holiday to take also.
I will qualify for company pay which pretty much tops me up to salary for 26 weeks, what I’m stuck on is SMP vs MA. I can push for the holiday to be paid in the qualifying weeks to qualify for SMP but it’s dawned on me that this is taxable whereas MA isn’t. I have researched and I should be entitled to MA under DMG 62516 as I remain employed - is there a benefit to me going for SMP if my earnings are going to be topped up by my employer anyway?
I only received MA with my first pregnancy due to changing jobs at the wrong time so I’m really trying to have it all figured out this time round.