Confused about whether SMP is affected if you're off work sick but on full pay

[StarsInTheNightSky]

Hi all, I could really use some advice as I'm getting really confused over sick pay and maternity pay calculations.

I'm 20+3 weeks pregnant, and I've been signed off work for the duration of my pregnancy due to HG and other high risk complications. My work have been really good about it, and we have a very generous sick pay policy of 6 months on full pay and then 6 months on half pay.

The way it will work (that I've agreed with our HR) is that I will go straight from being off sick but on full pay to being on maternity leave.

The thing I'm confused about it will this affect my SMP? When do they do the SMP calculations? I've read a lot about how if you're on SSP it will lower your average earnings, and so you will have lower SMP, but does this work the same way if you're off work on full pay, and not on SSP?

Lastly, when do you need to hand your MAT1B form in to your employer? I thought it was before 25 weeks but the midwife said before 28 weeks, and apparently she'll give it to me at my next appointment, which is as 26 weeks. I was wondering whether I should make an appointment for 24 weeks and just get it then.

If anyone could shed any light on these I'd be very grateful thanks.

You should he fine. You aren't on ssp, you are on full pay so the calculations for smp will be done on that basis.

Your SMP calculations are based on how much you are paid between weeks 17-25 so if you're on full pay then you are fine.

MatB1 should ideally be handed in by week 25, I'd insist on getting it before then but you shouldn't need an appointment, just ring your midwife and ask her to leave it at reception so you can collect it from there.

Thanks green and Rock that's fantastic news and really helpful thanks, I was getting really worried about it! Ok I'll give her a ring and make sure I pick one up from reception, I did think it wasn't as late as 28 weeks! Thanks again both!

I've been signed off sick from about 10 weeks and it is for the duration of my pregnancy. I'm on full pay and my maternity pay won't be affected. In my place of employment I can only be signed off until I'm 36 weeks gestation and then maternity pay has to kick in. Thankfully I still have 2 weeks annual leave to take so I will use that when my sick note finishes and then start maternity pay at 38 weeks.

Yes if your sickness is pregnancy related most companies can force you tots at mat leave from 36 weeks. Check your own policy though.

To start mat leave

Stars I had the same problem and it should be calculated on you average weekly earnings in the 8 weeks before the 15th week before you're due ( complicated much?), so you should be fine. I've been off but on full pay and have done quite a bit of reading up on that to make sure I don't screw myself over.

I hope to go back part-time soon and will then go on maternity leave at 31 weeks, so should be ok. BTW, my GP was happy enough to write out my MatB1 when I saw him this week, you should be able to just ring and talk to reception, as well, and pick it up from there!

Writer that's really helpful, and very reassuring to hear from someone in the same position, thanks very much. I've now decided to take a couple of weeks of flex leave after sick leave so that I can start my maternity leave a few weeks later, I have so much to take that work are fine with it thankfully.

Jam that's great, thanks very much, that's how our policy works too, I was going to go on maternity leave before 36 weeks, but I've now decided to use some flex days and go on maternity leave later.

BEE ahhh that makes much more sense thanks very much for the light shedding . That sounds great too thanks, I'll speak to our GP about it and sort it asap, then I can stop worrying about it!

Thanks again all

I should add too that I really hope all of you who have been off are ok