Statutory Maternity Pay

[clairehr]

Hi ladies,

I'm in a bit of a pickle and getting myself all wound up and confused.

I am currently 4 weeks pregnant, due May 11th. I finish my current job today, and start a new one on Monday.

Therefore, I won't have worked for this new company for 26 weeks by 15th week before my due date. I think this means I will not be entitled to SMP? Yet I did the eligibility calculator and it said I would be entitled?

I will have worked for the company for 26 weeks on 5th March. 15 weeks before my due date is 2nd Feb

(It is just my luck that I won't be eligible for it - seems to be my life in a nutshell!)

I don't think it has to be the same company you have worked for during the 26 weeks I think it just has to be that you have earned over a certain amount for those 26 weeks, if that makes sense?
But I'm no expert so hopefully someone who knows better will come along soon.

Never mind, I've just done the calculator as the employer and it's come up that I won't be entitled to SMP as I should have started working for them on or before 5th August before I even got pregnant.

You won't be eligible for SMP, but will be able to apply directly to the government for Maternity Allowance instead.

I was a few days off qualifying for SMP with my company (my due date was 4days too early!). I claimed Maternity Allowance instead for my earnings over the past 66 week test period.

Yes you will be entitled to Maternity Allowance. It's £139/week for up to 39 weeks. The only difference between MA and SMP is that with SMP you get 90% of your salary for the first 6 weeks (which is usually more than £139/week) but after that the amount is the same.

Thank you for clearing that up ladies, you're all stars!

I think by brain is kicking in a little too early or maybe it's just that I'm incredibly stressed about the whole thing!

Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way! And good luck with your new job

Hi Claire congrats and good luck in your new job. Just wondering if you've already told them your pregnant or when you plan to tell them? I start a new job in a couple of weeks, currently not working. I'm due on 20th April and it's really stressing me out about telling them. I don't know whether to say before I start or wait a week or two to settle in.

The
How long is your probation period?
I would wait before telling them and preferably after your probation ends if possible.
I can't remember the exact deadline for telling your employer but I think it's about 15 weeks before your due date, so you'd be around 25 weeks pregnant.
I would definitely wait until you've had your 12 week scan at the very least.
Just my two cents anyway!

I haven't yet told them as only found out myself a couple of days ago.

I've been stressing about when to tell them too, legally I have to tell them before Jan 27th, which would be short of the 6 month probation, however I am going to ask for a performance review prior to that to cover my back in case anything nasty happens once they find out.

My probation is also 6 months, which is a pain, dp suggested the same namechange. I hadn't thought of asking for a review first though, that's a good idea.

Yep for maternity allowance I have to tell them by sometime in January, forget the exact date. I think waiting for 12 week scan is best too, that'll be October.

Arr why does everything have to happen at the same time?!