maternity pay

[ChestnutJam]

i have worked continually at my company since feb, initially as a freelancer and then full time from september 1st. i'm almost 18 weeks pregnant and told them the day after my 12 week scan (september 22). am i entitled to maternity pay? my company is saying no. however, i am getting mixed reports from people who have in similar situations. is it at the company's discretion? any advice would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

To be entitled to statutory maternity pay, you need to have been employed by the company (not self-employed) 26 weeks before the qualifying week. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the 'expected week of confinement', ie. the week you're due to give birth. You can check out whether you're eligible by entering your employment date/due date on www.direct.gov.uk/maternity.dsb

Whether your entitled to any enhanced company maternity pay will depend on your employers maternity policy.

If you're not entitled for statutory maternity pay, you'll be entitled to statutory maternity allowance from the job centre - which is the same value as statutory maternity pay, I think, so even if you're not entitled to statutory maternity pay you shouldn't be worse off then if you were.