Returning to work after maternity leave

[19annie86]

If you are returning to work after being off on maternity leave and find out you are pregnant again, but for instance in my work you need to work 26 weeks before you are entitled to full maternity leave are you still entitled to statatory maternity pay if you aren't back for the full 26 weeks

You’re employed on maternity leave so you are entitled to maternity leave and pay. However, statutory pay is 90% of your earnings in the qualifying week, as you’re on maternity currently that could be a lot less than your salary if it was the low/unpaid portion.

You are counted as employed even when off on maternity leave. Your maternity pay is calculated from week 17-25 of pregnancy so will you be receiving any wages at that point?

For instance I went of on maternity leave 18th March 2022, i had 9 month paid, 3 month unpaid, then my annual leave kicks in and will take me up to returning to work 11th May 2023, however baby due date is 30th October

So you’ll be back on full pay by wk16, you should get the same leave and pay as before.

Will you be at work in weeks 17-25 of pregnancy?
That's the weeks that determine SMP. If you arent earning at that point then you could claim Maternity Allowance instead. It is similar to SMP but doesn't have the 6 weeks at 90% of salary.

I took 7 month's maternity leave with my first. Fell pregnant again 5 months in. I was entitled to full maternity pay for my second.

Thanks everyone

If you returned to work for only a month or two before taking off again, obviously you would get full pay again, but would you be entitled to anything

Relevant period is wk 17 to wk 25, that determines your maternity pay, you need on average £123 pw during that period to qualify for smp and the about you have been paid in that time determines the value of smp. Being on annual leave in that period counts because you’re getting paid.

You get leave even if you don’t go back in between.