Late MATB1 form and formal notification of pregnancy

[INIAMR123]

Hi all. I’m a teacher and turned 25 weeks pregnant during the summer holidays, so have just realised I’m late handing in my formal notice of pregnancy and my MATB1 form (which I wasn’t even given until 25 weeks +4 days pregnant). I’m now 26 weeks +3 days and worried I’m too late giving formal notice and will miss out on maternity pay! Has anyone been in this position? I’m going to speak to HR tomorrow but I want to know how big of an issue it has been for others if you’ve experienced the same problem?

You have to give in a MATB1 form at least 21 days before you want SMP to start - so you're not late with that.

You're supposed to give formal notice 15 weeks before you're due, though - employers usually have their own form for this or ask for it in writing.

Hopefully HR will help, good luck!

If your work know your pregnant, then you've notified them so that's fine

Work know I’m pregnant, I told my manager very early on. I’m hoping it won’t be a problem! Fingers crossed

Hope what won't be a problem? You've told them and you just have to hand in the form 3 weeks before you want the leave to start so there's no issue.

Both the maternity policy and government guidance say employees have to give formal notice 15 weeks before estimated due date. I’m worried I may not be able to claim my full maternity rights.

I get it OP, my work ask for the mat1b at 25 weeks as formal notification, never heard of it only being 3 weeks before! Mine was a few days late as HR will only accept it from your line manager (no idea why), and he was on leave when i got it but it didn't cause a problem. I can't see the fact it's late due to the summer holidays being an issue - especially as they know already.

I’m a teacher and didn’t get my Matb1 until I saw the midwife at 29 weeks. That was already a week into the summer hols. Emailed a photo to HR but they didn’t deal with it until September and then chased me because I’d forgotten to fill in the back. It’s all turned out ok and I finished for Mat leave on Friday. I’m sure your school will be fine :)

So long as they know your are pregnant then it's fine. We ask for 28 days notice to start leave but occasionally a teacher who planned to work until birth asks to go early. We always agree.

I’m 34 weeks and still haven’t got my MatB1 form! I keep forgetting it. I’m seeing the midwife on Tuesday and will give it to my school after that. I’m going on mat leave in 4 weeks time and head of HR was distinctly unbothered when I had a panic about this the other day. She said that in the event of a baby coming early, they ask for a new MatB1 anyway and in that case they manage to sort out maternity pay without any notice.

You're supposed to notify them about your pregnancy and when you want leave to start by 25 weeks. The MatB1 isn't required at that point though and can be handed in later

Thanks so much everyone you’ve put my mind at ease! Hopefully now I won’t have a sleepless night and will sort it all out tomorrow at school 👍

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim

Maternity leave:
At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want to start your maternity leave. Your employer can ask for this in writing.

Your employer must write to you within 28 days confirming your start and end dates.

Maternity Pay:
Tell your employer you want to stop work to have a baby and the day you want your SMP to start. You must give them at least 28 days’ notice (in writing if they ask for it) and proof that you’re pregnant.

Within 21 days of your SMP start date (or as soon as possible if the baby’s born early) give your employer either:

• a letter from your doctor or midwife
• your MATB1 certificate - doctors and midwives will give you this no more than 20 weeks before the due date

Can I ask though, had you given formal written notice within the expected period? I haven’t done that yet as it states I should in the maternity policy and I’m worried it could affect my right to Mat pay/leave.

Yes I’ve read that guidance today and that’s what has me worried. My employer knows I’m pregnant but I have yet to give formal written notice.

Does your own maternity policy state it needs to be in writing?

Formal notice is just telling them. If you've told them, you've told them. You're conflating the Matb1 and "notification"

Yes the policy has a form you are supposed to fill in and return by 15 weeks before due date. It’s a standard school maternity policy

@INIAMR123
Your place of work sounds like mine (nhs). They require formal notice of maternity which is a form I had to fill out and they ideally like to receive this with the Matb1 by 25 weeks.

I myself will not be getting my matb1 until 26 weeks so I have emailed them the official notice and said the mat1b will be slightly late due to maternity appointment scheduling.

I have also managed an individual who handed her mat1b in about 2 weeks late with no consequence.

I am sure your employer will be reasonable and shouldn't impact on your pay in any way :) they still have plenty of time to process.

The MatB1 has to be in within 21 days of the SMP start date so handing it in at 26 or 27 weeks is not late at all