Maternity leave entitlement

[Teacaketotty]

Hi All,

I’m in the early stages of pregnancy, around 8 weeks and I’ve been looking at my company mat leave policy which enhanced pay kicks in after 2 years service.

I’m planning on working until my 39th week, WFH full time as normal. If I take my mat leave at 39 weeks I’ll have 2 years service by a week or so. My issue is if I have the baby early and my mat leave kicks in I wouldn’t qualify and would revert to SSP. I had my first baby at 36 weeks so it is a concern of mine generally.

Would it be reasonable to negotiate this with them, offering swap annual leave or something so that if my baby is early by a few weeks they would honour the enhanced payment. I’m in a higher management position and intend to return after 6 months leave. Any thoughts welcome, thanks x

I'm not entirely sure on the legalities but it's definitely worth talking to your work about it and seeing what they say and if there's a way around it. The worst they can do is say no and then you know where you stand at least, hopefully since you'll be so close they might be able to work with you

Perfectly reasonable. I know other people who have done this successfully.

@Wnikat oh that’s interesting that others have managed it gives me hope!

@Lou98 that’s what I am thinking, you don’t ask you don’t get and I know they are within their rights to say no. At least I’ll know for sure one way or another.

You can always try but just as a warning, you might have difficulty since you legally have to inform them of pregnancy and intention to take leave by the end of your 25th week, and this date is sometimes used to work out your entitlement. I know in my own work's policy it says something to the effect of 'how many years' service you have completed by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due".

@ButFirstTea thank you, this was a worry. I checked and it says 2 years service at commencement of maternity leave.

Any advice on how to go about the conversation? I have a good relationship with my line manager who would probably put a case forward for me.

Hi, I'm a senior leader in my company and because of its size it's very much HR/contract driven. Not doing so could open a company to tribunal complaints...

However, the policy usually is 2years service by the EDD on your MAT1B form. Based on that and what you've mentioned you should qualify.

I'm also pregnant and due 2ys 6 weeks after I started at my company. Even if baby can't early I'd still get enhanced maternity benefits. Good luck OP