Question about maternity pay

[JackJack84]

I have been signed off sick from work with PGP from weeks 22-26 & my manager has indicated this might affect my maternity pay. I'm not receiving SSP so effectively still getting paid my normal salary. I've copied my employers maternity pay policy below for information. I meet the qualifying criteria as I've worked there for 2.5 years without any breaks so I'm not sure how my pay will be affected. I'm only taking the 26 weeks weeks leave.

Can anyone shed any light on this? TIA

What conditions are in your maternity policy.

Can’t see pregnancy related sickness can affect your maternity pay this early on.

They’ve got incorrect information on this info as well as SMP is £151.97

If you are a salaried employee it should not affect your maternity pay. If you are hourly paid and very part time you may only be eligible for maternity allowance.

Sickness up to 36 weeks does not trigger mat leave. Pg related sickness from 36 weeks does.

You say you are only taking 26 weeks. Your annual leave during mat leave should be contractual so you could take 6 months' mat leave and tag on 2/3 weeks A/L at full pay before returning. (Depends on your contractual leave of course).

Thank you for your replies, very helpful 😊

These are the conditions in the policy which all apply to me. I've just got my MATB1 form from the midwife today so I've officially notified them on my intention to take maternity leave.

I'm salaried full time so I just can't see what my manager is talking about. I am planning on taking 4 weeks A/L immediately after my mat leave. Would love to take the full year but it's just not financially possible unfortunately. Although I do appreciate 26 weeks leave is more than a lot of people get!

Your manager has just made an error. Mat pay and leave is complex.

May I just correct you please. All women are entitled to 52 weeks of mat leave. You are choosing to take 26 weeks. Stat mat is 90% of salary for 6 weeks followed by 33 weeks of SMP. You are jolly lucky to have 26 weeks at full pay.

Sorry I'm not sure what you're correcting exactly, I've said I appreciate what I am able to take?

Yes I think my manage is confused, she's quite new to the job so maybe hasn't got the hang of it just yet.

When I was signed of sick pre 34 weeks I was just linked to my existing company sickness policy.

But once I was signed off again at 34 weeks it triggered my maternity leave to start early - which I was happy with as i felt bad as had suffered from HG throughout my pregnancy:( it was annoying as I wanted to use a mixture of AL before triggering maternity leave date but I planned to add it to my return. I was made redundant anyway so got my AL in payment.

It would only be an issue if your pay was reduced due to SSP as your SMP part is based on pay between weeks 17-25 of pregnancy. If you were only getting SSP then you would get less SMP as its 90% of pay in those weeks or £151 whichever is lower

You should get normal pay as it’s a pregnancy related illness, it should also not be included in your normal absences. If it was after 36 weeks that’s when they can start your maternity pay. I had really bad sickness throughout and was paid right up till 36 weeks and then maternity pay kicked in xx

@Todaytomorrowyesterday yes my policy states if I'm sick within the 4 weeks before EDD I'll go straight onto mat leave. I'm desperately trying to get back to work & stick it out but I'm struggling walking as it is even with crutches.

Some employers only offer SSP for pregnancy related illness too and then it would affect SMP..
It is counted differently and can't be used against you but doesn't necessarily mean you get normal pay for it. SSP in weeks 17-25 can greatly affect SMP amounts

@dementedpixie I thought that might be the case & I think that's where my manager is getting confused. She just mentioned in passing my pay might be affected so nothing official. I think now that I've notified HR I'll get more clarity.