Maternity pay question - any experts?

[whinegums]

Hi, as I suspected, I'm going to be made redundant in a few months time (which isn't a disaster btw!).

I have just had a look at the govt guidelines for mat pay and leave, which say that if I'm employed in the 15th week before expected due date, my employer still has to pay me SMP. All well and good. However, my employer offers enhanced mat pay for 18 weeks and then SMP. Does anyone know if I would only get SMP for the whole 39 weeks, or would I get the 18 weeks enhanced and then 21 weeks SMP? I suspect I would only get SMP, but it would be useful to know definitely either way.

Thank you so much to anyone who can answer!

Check your contract/ T&Cs, it should tell you in there.

I also get 18wks enhance MP, but I know for our scheme that you still need to be in employment on the day your m/l starts (rather than the 15wks before EDC for SMP) AND pay it back if you don't return for at least a month (in theory anyway, a friend of mine took voluntary redundancy on m/l & wasn't asked to pay it back)

as betsyboop says check ur contract or mat policy from HR.

mine says that i have to have been with them for 26weeks by the 15th week and be in continuous employment with them. I need to return on the same contractual basis for 13weeks after mat leave to avoid paying it back (and yes they have made people pay it back). we get quite a generous pay - 8weeks full pay, 26weeks 90% pay and then 13 weeks smp.

my understanding is if you are employed but dont qualify for smp you will get maternity allowance but you would need to check the DWP website. surely if you are being made redundant they will incorporate mat pay into the settlement.

btw i work for the nhs

Thanks both for replies. I have a contract, but all the mat leave (and some other info) is held by personnel and available on request, so I don't want to ask them yet! I suspect it will only be SMP, but might be worth trying to get them to include some extra in any redundancy settlement.

whinegums I would be surprised if your enhanced maternity pay isn't restricted at least to those who are employed during their maternity leave and probably also to those who come back to work after maternity leave for a period as well.

But you are right, no harm in seeing if some can be negotiated as part of your redundancy settlement. If you are in a union they should be able to help you with this.

A lot of organisations' handbooks don't include provision (when on mat leave or when pregnant) for maternity pay. This means that you will have the opportunity to negotiate and they have the opportunity to show discretion. Depending on the sector you work in, and indeed the reasons redundancies are being mooted, I hope you find that they are generous towards you. Good luck!