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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity leave - what do you think of this?

15 replies

Cornishdreams · 09/05/2023 20:51

Hi all, just looking through my maternity leave policy. I always thought I was entitled for SMP.

Does this mean an employee would have to have been employed for over 2 years before becoming pregnant or would she have had to have been with the company for over 2 years up until her maternity leave begins? I have messaged HR but they are so slow to respond so just wondering what everyone else thinks.

thanks!

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Pinkbumbles · 09/05/2023 20:53

Does it say 2 years in your policy? Government website states 26 weeks employment before being entitled to smp.

Ilovetea42 · 09/05/2023 20:55

As far as I'm aware its 2 years up until your maternity leave begins as you don't need to give immediate notice to your employer that you're pregnant. I think there is a cut off point though of so many weeks - I have around 21-24 weeks in my head something like that I had to submit forms to my employer by but hr would keep you right on that. I faced possible redundancy (thankfully didn't happen) while about to go on mat leave and if you don't qualify for smp there is an alternative. Citizens advice were able to keep me right so maybe they'd be worth a try if you have them in your area?

Original poster

Cornishdreams · 09/05/2023 20:59

Sorry everyone I forgot to add the picture!!!

Maternity leave - what do you think of this?

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Original poster

Cornishdreams · 09/05/2023 21:00

Cornishdreams · 09/05/2023 20:59

Sorry everyone I forgot to add the picture!!!

This is what my question was relating to

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PurpleCat88 · 09/05/2023 21:03

I think it's means if you've been there 2 years or less you get SMP. Over 2 years service they enhance the maternity package (8 weeks full and 18 weeks half pay).

TrudyProud · 09/05/2023 21:03

@Cornishdreams it's saying if you have <2 years employment with the organisation you are only entitled to SMP.
If you have >2 years you get (their version) of an enhanced package.

All organisations are different. I was entitled to full pay from the day I started.

burnoutbabe · 09/05/2023 21:06

I'd guess the 2 years kicks in at point of going off oh maternity leave.

Rather than the earlier date of wheb you became pregnant (as how does that work with say adoption leave)

Littlegoth · 09/05/2023 21:06

I work in HR. You’ve got 2 important weeks that are used for setting eligibility criteria - the week the baby is due, and the qualifying week which is 15 weeks before the baby is due.

you are entitled to maternity leave as long as you have a contract regardless of length of service, and as long as you give the right period of notice (normally by the qualifying week)

Statutory maternity pay - eligible as long as you meet the above, plus started employment at least 26 weeks before the qualifying week, and as long as you earn at least £123 per week each week over an 8 week period.

contractual maternity pay - some organisations pay enhanced maternity pay (an amount above SMP). They set their own terms including length of service needed for eligibility. It sounds like your organisation has a contractual scheme for which 2 years service is needed - I expect this would be 2 years service by the qualifying week in line with other schemes. If you don’t have 2 years service it you have 26weeks service by the qualifying week you would be eligible for the SMP part but not the enhanced contractual part.

bookgirl1982 · 09/05/2023 21:07

There must be more detail in the policy about when the two year cut off is. In ours it is service by the qualifying week.

dementedpixie · 09/05/2023 21:12

Up to 2 years service you get SMP
Over 2 years service you get enhanced pay

Moni81 · 09/05/2023 22:40

@Cornishdreams so obviously you are entitled to SMP, what you are talking is enhanced pay, which is company perk. My company does it too, I had to be employed min 2 years to get above statutory. In my company it's 13 weeks full, 13 half and 13 SMP, so very similar.

doverdiva · 09/05/2023 22:45

I think it means 2 years on the date you take the maternity leave. So if you're close to the 2 year mark you should try and make sure you pass it before starting maternity leave.

If I started working for the company on May 9th in 2021 I would be eligible for the better pay if I started mat leave on May 10th 2023 or after that.

gohomeroger1 · 09/05/2023 22:49

It would have to be 2 years at qualifying week or due date as otherwise it would discriminate against mother's who have to give birth early if its when you go on maternity.

burnoutbabe · 09/05/2023 23:16

gohomeroger1 · 09/05/2023 22:49

It would have to be 2 years at qualifying week or due date as otherwise it would discriminate against mother's who have to give birth early if its when you go on maternity.

Yes that's logical.

Oh well the policy will clarify it more!

Original poster

Cornishdreams · 10/05/2023 20:36

Hi all, thank you for your responses. This is the email I have had back today. I am due to go on maternity leave in September and I will have been with the company for 2 years 1 months so I am hoping I will receive the enhanced maternity package offered by my workplace??

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