Sickness Absence Whilst Pregnant Advice

[BeautifulSlang]

I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant with twins, due date middle of May. I'm suffering terribly with lower back pain, sciatica and resting leg syndrome, which is keeping me awake and generally making me feel down and fed up!

My works sickness policy is that any pregnancy related sickness absence doesn't count towards normal sickness. I'm sure I've read somewhere though that if I take sick leave it could effect my maternity pay. Does anyone know anything about this? When I do go on mat. leave I get 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 20 weeks, followed by SMP.

Hi OP. Sorry to hear you're in pain. Do you get full sick pay? If so, I don't think it will affect your mat pay.
Usually, your maternity pay is worked out based on your average earnings over an eight week period. Does your contract or employment policies say anything that might explain it?
If not, it might be sensible to check with Citizens Advice.
Hope you're feeling a bit better soon, OP.

@Glitterandunicorns

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I do get full sick pay. I'm just concerned that if I did go off I wouldn't get my full mat. pay as we really need the money.

Also, does pregnancy related absence work the same, as in you self cert. for the first 5 days? Or do you have to be signed off right away? And by whom? Midwife, or GP?

The period they use to calculate maternity pay is weeks 17-25 so you are already past that.

You will have to check your contract for specifics regarding how you notify your employer

All my employers had policies about if I was absent through being 'sick' in the last 4 wks of pregnancy that they could start my mat leave early. I only get stat mat pay so yours may be similar and what you have read.

Signing off has to be done by a GP, the midwife can’t do it.

I’m 33 weeks and just been signed off until the end of term with PGP. After that I will start my mat leave early at 36 weeks as my work policy is that mat leave must be enforced if there is any sickness after this point.

It shouldn't affect your maternity pay but I think technically if continually off work, with pregnancy related illnesses your employer can request that you start maternity leave 4 weeks before your expected due date.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sick pay would only affect the amount of your maternity pay if it was significantly lower than your normal pay as it would lower the average amount. As it is weeks 17-25 that they should use then you have already worked that

And yes if you are off with a pregnancy related illness in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy then your Mat leave/ pay period will start

Thanks all.