NHS NURSE on maternity leave but pregnant again

[FirstTM2020]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone could help me here???

Im a nurse in the NHS and am struggling to find a policy which answers my questions so if anyone out there is in a similar position do help!

Ive just found out im pregnant whilst on maternity leave... my baby is 6 months old so I am hugely shocked, although we feel very blessed.

I am wondering how does this work with receiving maternity pay again. I was entitled to occupational & statutory pay this time round. I have a million questions going round my brain!

Thank you🥰 xx

Hello, congratulations.
Take a look at your maternity policy .if you have met the criteria for occupational and statutory pay the first time you will again.

One thing to look out for though....Most often your maternity pay is calculated on your average earnings between weeks X and Y of pregnancy. However if you are on maternity leave during that point and on the lower pay by then this will leave you disadvantaged. As it will be less than your full time pay. I managed to successfully argue that it was maternity discrimination to only pay me that rate for my second mat leave and got the full amount. But I am from an HR Background and work within equality and diversity at the trust. Maybe get your union on the case if you have one.

You will technically be entitled to both. However, your pay will be calculated on your earnings at week 18-25 of pregnancy, so if you aren't back at work by then (baby will be about 10 months old?) your maternity pay will be severely reduced.

It would be worth considering going back for as much as possible to maximise pay during the qualifying period for maternity pay.

One option would be to return on those weeks but take accrued annual leave from your first mat leave. So you could return to work for 7 weeks, but not actually be at work. But be on annual leave. Therefore on full pay. But obviously that only works if you are at the end of your first mat leave. Otherwise you’ll be cutting it short

Mat leave is calculated from weeks 17-25 of pregnancy so make sure you're back for that stage if you want the full mat pay. Otherwise it'll just be SMP.

Thank you all so much for your advice. Greatly appreciated xx