HELP Civil Service Maternity Pay

[AnotherEllie]

Hello
I am starting with the Civil Service in the next few months and I am trying to understand the maternity policy but don't yet have access to the actual policy.

Does anyone know what the current rules are to be eligible for full maternity pay are? I've seen 52 weeks Service, 40 weeks Service and 6 months by the due date so I am a bit confused.

My home department will be the Cabinet Office if that helps!

Grateful for any advice as we are thinking of ttc again but want to make sure we don't miss out on any benefits.

Its 52 weeks service to recieve the full entitlement of 6 months full pay, 13 weeks Statutory and 13 weeks unpaid.

Thanks for your reply @buttercuplizzy. Where is your info from please? I have a friend in one department who has advised the time required is much shorter so I am a bit confused about what is correct. I understand terms changed quite recently but not sure if it applies to all departments or just select ones!

This is my 3rd pregnancy whilst a Civil servant. I have worked around quite a few departments (DWP, CO, HMRC to name a few) and all have been 1 year of service. I would say though that different departments can have different terms and conditions and I do not currently work for CO. Ca

@buttercuplizzy thanks for the reply! That's really useful to know. Will try and see if I can find confirmation anywhere!

I would add that I joined the CS whilst 16 weeks pregnant with my first and although I wasn't entitled to the pay related benefits, they were really good in general about my pregnancy. :)

Agree with a previous poster, I've worked in different departments and only ever seen being in service for 52 weeks.
Just checked my current policy and it says you must have 1 years continuous Gov service at the expected week of childbirth.

Meant to add, if you are going to wait to try to time it make sure you get the benefits, make sure you work out the dates (sorry if that sounds stupid). I know someone who did this but didn't realise EDD was worked out from the last period, they fell pregnant straight away and wasn't under the policy as it came under the 1 year service.

@Bella9992 this is really helpful! Thank you! I am going to request the policy too to confirm 100% but have seen a few places saying the same thing so seems to be the case.

52 weeks in my central Whitehall department, which has not been mentioned already on this thread. Where does your friend work? Is it def a central dept or is it NDPB or ALB?

So I have worked for the Civil Service for 15months now and due to go on Maternity at the very beginning of June - I am struggling to understand the maternity policy wording of the following for my entitlement to full maternity pay for 6 months:

"Have completed a minimum of 12 months qualifying service with the department during the 24 months up to and including the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth"

Could anybody clarify what this means?

Thank you in advance

If means that you must have done 12 out of the last 24 months in the civil service but your 25th week of pregnancy.

So it could be you did 6 months and had 1 years maternity or a sabbatical which you wouldn't have qualified for the entire entitlement. Then you go back and do six months before you're 25 weeks pregnant then you would be entitled for the second pregnancy.

Hope that helps.

Brilliant thank you for your help! I think that makes a lot more sense now.

So essentially, I would qualify for full maternity pay as I have completed 15 months continuous service? I've never had a break except from the usual annual leave entitlement.

Sorry if I'm missing the point - I need everything simplifying haha!

Thank you again.

Yes you would qualify.

Hello 😊 I’m in the Home Office and I always thought it was a years service at the expected week of birth but on my Metis it says 1 year and 15 weeks 🤦🏻‍♀️ which department are you in because I’m super stressed and wondering if I can change departments so I’m eligible. TY!

Which department is this if you don’t mind me asking? I’m in the HO and it’s saying 1 year and 15 weeks which means I’m 7 weeks off getting full pay 😞

@crsx I'm CS but in Welsh Gov, it's 12 months here, has your policy changed recently? Can you email HR for clarity?

@Wildlyboring it says this 'have completed a minimum of 12 months' qualifying service with the department during the 24 months up to and including the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth'

I'm originally from Wales but working in England.

It says on most forums I have read 12 months, but it's looking like I won't quality under this guidance ^ :( (started Jan 9th 23, due Feb 27th 24)

This is mine:

· have completed a minimum of 12 months’ qualifying service with the department during the 24 months up to and including the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth
· meet all the qualifying conditions for statutory maternity pay

So whilst it's 12 months it's 12 months prior to your 25th week of pregnancy not your due date so don't get get caught out cos that's 4 months!

@AnotherEllie 6 months or 26 weeks by 15th week before EWC os the requirement for SMP. Departments usually expect you to meet SMP requirements then add on additional criteria for OMP. Most depts go with 12 months/52 weeks at 15th week before EWC.

Yeah I'm thinking I'm going to be missing out on it by like 7 weeks which is annoying

it's very misleading as think they advertise it as one years service

Thanks yeah I think I'm going to be missing out by like 7 weeks at this rate because I started 9th Jan and I'm due 27th Feb.

Yeah very very confusing! Completely stressed now as it wasn't planned. Joys of life!

"All employees who provide correct notice are entitled to a maximum of 52 weeks’ Maternity Leave. The 52 weeks, consists of 26 weeks’ Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) immediately followed by 26 weeks’ Additional Maternity Leave (AML)."

If in doubt contact HR and they will tell you what you are entitled to, I have done this recently and they were very helpful.

Thank you! X