A quick maternity pay question

[Cosmogirl]

Hi,

Wondered if anyone could help me with a question I've got.
Some companies have extra maternity benefits, such as three months on full pay, three months on half pay etc....

How long do you have to be employed by a company to benefit from these types of schemes that go above and beyond the SMP? Is it generally 12 months? And if so, is that 12 months before you fall pregnant, or 12 months until you leave for maternity leave?

Also, anyone out there whose company does this, does your company request the money back if you don't return to the job after ML?

I'm a bit confused by it all! Thanks,

Cosmo

You will need to look at your company's maternity policy as the qualifying periods will vary.

Cosmo it depends on the company and how their maternity policy is worded, it varies hugely. Most require a certain number of years' service by a specific date during the pregnancy, sometimes 15th week before due date - that date is sometimes used for company schemes because it is also used for SMP. But as I say it really varies a lot.

Many companies that offer enhanced pay do require it to be paid back if you don't return to work for a certain period of time, you often have to come back for 3 months or similar.

yes, depends on the company.

Think we said a year before starting maternity leave to get the extra dosh and then you have to (or I should say are supposed to) work 14 weeks back (because you get 14 weeks additional dosh) afterwards or repay.

But it is completely company dependant.

Thanks for the responses. My current job has no staff handbook and no HR person - useful! Don't really want to bring it up with my boss....I have been there nearly a year.

Another job is on the horizon though and I hear the company has a good maternity package 3 months full/3 months half pay/then 26 weeks off unpaid.

Ummmm, that doesn't sound quite right - SMP now is 9 months not 6 like it was before, so at the very least there should be another 3 months of SMP.

FWIW, my company's policy is you have to have been employed for a year prior to 15th week before due date to get CMP (everyone who is employed gets SMP), and if you leave within a year you have to pay back the anything above the SMP level (pro-rata'd, so if you leave after 6 months you pay back half, etc)

Thanks Kela. Yes I thought there should be an extra 3 months at SMP rate. Didn't state that, but think you must be right.
Thanks for sharing your cos policy - interesting to hear.

my county council job pay 3 months at 100% then 3 months at 90% topped up with smp then 6 months just smp!! you have to have been employed by them for one year!

Cosmo- Yep, depends on company policy. Because I've been at my job over 2 years, I'm entitled to 29 weeks full pay, then SMP to 39 weeks, and then unpaid leave until 52 weeks. I think most places want you to work there for 2 years before.

Best thing you can do is go to citizen's advice beaureau and find out what you're entitled to on a basic level, then ask your boss about contractual Maternity Pay (CMP).

Thanks Mumblesmummy and Kezza. I guess when it comes to CMP it all comes down to whether you want to return to the same job after ML. If not then it seems most places want you to pay the extra back.
With the job I am in, I wouldn't want to go back, so would be fine with SMP. But if I get this new job, may want to return part-time ..... is all a bit confusing though! I'll see what happens with this interview.