work and maternity leave, any advice?

[Megan109882]

Hi all. I’ve worked for the same company for 6 years. I returned from maternity leave in March, pregnant. I’m now 3 months, I’ve been off due to coronavirus and lack of childcare/school that’s come with it. My question is, am I entitled to maternity leave a second time round? Also, do I have to work consistently for so many weeks before I go off on maternity leave or will this just apply regardless. My worry is not getting back to work in time due to coronavirus to work an amount of time (if needed) before needing to go off on maternity leave, if that makes sense. Any help would be appreciated? Thanks xx

Yeh you’re entitled to leave again. To get SMP you need to be at work and earning during the qualifying weeks, so the 8 weeks up to 15 weeks before your pregnancy. Assuming you’re on a similar time frame to me (I’m 12 weeks today, due around 18th Nov) my qualifying period runs from the start of June to end of July. Your 90% will be calculated on your earnings in this time

Would you be able to work from home if not for the childcare issue?

Are you furloughed, working from home or laid off temporarily?

@BuffaloCauliflower 15 weeks before pregnancy? Sorry the whole thing confuses me lol! Or is it 15 weeks before your due? I’m due on 10th November so not to far apart. I can’t work from home, work have been very awkward. Wouldn’t allow me to work from home, wouldn’t furlough me, wouldn’t allow me to use holidays, so I had to put a sick line from GP in, in the end. It runs out around the 11th June. My sons nursery is talking about opening again, so I’m hoping they do and I will return to work but if not, I’m not sure how it’ll work with maternity leave. As I’m assuming you can’t go from sick leave to maternity leave.. xx

@QforCucumber neither of them, my employer wouldn’t furlough me, wouldn’t allow me holidays, and wouldn’t allow me to work from home. So the company is still operating, I currently have a sick line in which ends on 11th June xx

Ah ok, its all earnings dependent, do your company offer enhanced maternity pay? You may not be able to get that again.

I’m honestly not too sure. I haven’t actually spoken to them yet about it, I know people have had maternity leave so close together so it is possible but my worry is not getting to work the qualifying period due to coronavirus, which is obviously out of everyone’s control xx

Sorry yes, 15 weeks before you’re due, is when the qualifying period ends. 8 weeks up to then.

That does sound very frustrating. I think you need to just tell them you’re pregnant and will need maternity pay so need to be working.

Yeah I think that’s the best option. It’s been a nightmare dealing with them so far 🙄 thanks for your help 🙂 xx