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HELP Civil Service Maternity Pay

35 replies

AnotherEllie · 08/08/2022 11:09

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.

OP posts:
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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 18:37

Thanks for your help Smile I really appreciate it.

From reading the guidance (as I started on Jan 9th 2023 and I'm due feb 27th 2024) I think I'm eligible for SMP but not the top up which I'm devastated about, it would really have taken away so much anxiety. Now I'm a crying mess Grin

But yes I'll definitely try and get somebody to double confirm

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Tippingadvice · 04/07/2023 18:32

@ralphysafi I would try HR again and ask someone experienced in Mat leave and pay phone you back.

For those debating there is normally a combined maternity policy which sets out the rules for both mat leave and pay. Everyone gets Mat leave and if you are eligible for SMP this links to mat leave, this then links to occupational mat pay.

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Suupertato · 04/07/2023 15:35

Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 15:31

@Suupertato

Yes and I get that and I corrected myself.

But every other poster has been confusing. Takes two seconds to get on to the HR page and see.

Further that speak to people team.

I don't know who pissed in your coffee this morning but there is no need to be so rude.

I haven’t seen any post where you corrected yourself, which is why I commented in the first place because I was trying to avoid any confusion. I apologised twice in case my post seemed patronising, so I’m not sure your last sentence was needed.

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Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 15:31

@Suupertato

Yes and I get that and I corrected myself.

But every other poster has been confusing. Takes two seconds to get on to the HR page and see.

Further that speak to people team.

I don't know who pissed in your coffee this morning but there is no need to be so rude.

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Suupertato · 04/07/2023 15:20

Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 15:15

If you have worked for the civil service for over 52weeks you are entitled to Enhanced maternity pay.
If under 52 weeks it SMP.

Only if you have worked for the Civil Service for 52 weeks prior to your 25th week of pregnancy, as PPs have confirmed.

What you posted earlier is the maternity leave policy and has nothing to do with pay. Like I say, I’m really not trying to be patronising, but I don’t want the OP to be confused.

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Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 15:15

Suupertato · 04/07/2023 14:23

Sorry if this was patronising, I really didn’t mean for it to come across like that 🤦‍♀️ just didn’t want any confusion

If you have worked for the civil service for over 52weeks you are entitled to Enhanced maternity pay.
If under 52 weeks it SMP.

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Suupertato · 04/07/2023 14:23

Sorry if this was patronising, I really didn’t mean for it to come across like that 🤦‍♀️ just didn’t want any confusion

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Suupertato · 04/07/2023 14:12

Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 10:12

"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.

This is the maternity LEAVE policy. Not the same as the maternity PAY policy.

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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 14:05

Quite a weird situation - I rang HR and the guy on the phone said they can't advise on maternity and said I need to fill in a MATB1 form to see what I'm entitled to but I haven't even had my first appointment yet. (Only 6 weeks) x

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Tippingadvice · 04/07/2023 14:03

@ralphysafi I agree ask HR if you qualify. They do this all the time so know the rules.

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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 12:50

Thank you! X

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Jazsimone · 04/07/2023 10:12

"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.

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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 09:23

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

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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 09:22

Tippingadvice · 04/07/2023 09:04

@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.

Thanks Smile 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.

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Bells3032 · 04/07/2023 09:21

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

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ralphysafi · 04/07/2023 09:20

Bells3032 · 04/07/2023 08:51

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!

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

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Tippingadvice · 04/07/2023 09:04

@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.

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Bells3032 · 04/07/2023 08:51

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!

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crsx · 04/07/2023 08:42

Wildlyboring · 04/07/2023 07:09

@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)

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Wildlyboring · 04/07/2023 07:09

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

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crsx · 03/07/2023 22:47

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 😞

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crsx · 03/07/2023 22:44

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!

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Bells3032 · 25/01/2023 20:05

Yes you would qualify.

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Isla91 · 25/01/2023 15:44

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.

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Bells3032 · 25/01/2023 15:35

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.

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