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Original poster

NHS only offer SMP

45 replies

Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 18:07

Hi, I am 20 weeks pregnant (21 tomorrow)! I started this job with this NHS employer in June ‘23. I have been employed by the NHS for 5 years in a few weeks, with no breaks in service.

I’ve been informed by my manager that I will only get SMP. As you can imagine, it feels pretty crap after working for the NHS for so long and knowing that other trusts offer a full NHS maternity pay package.

has anyone else have this experience? How did you cope? I am going to contact my Union, but not sure what they can do with it being HR’s policy.

OP posts:
SuperSange · 04/09/2023 18:51

Did you not check when you moved trusts?

JandL2020 · 04/09/2023 18:53

@Helloimchlo are you on a permanent contract? If you have had continuous service with no breaks eg. This includes leaving an old job - you can’t have any gaps (you can have AL) then start a new job but it has to be continuous. I would be calling HR. Good luck xx

SirChenjins · 04/09/2023 18:54

That sounds odd - does your previous post not count as continuous service? It would be worth checking with HR in case your manager has it wrong.

SolaceSoul · 04/09/2023 18:54

Has your Turst added your continuous service? I know someone who lost their continuous service because they took a 2 week break before starting their new job but managed to resolve the issue

JandL2020 · 04/09/2023 18:54

@Helloimchlo i had problem with continuous service. You can’t even have a day!!x

Thisismynewusername1 · 04/09/2023 18:55

Did you read the mat leave policy for your new trust?

does it have anything about continuous service being same trust only? I’d check the small print.

Mumuser124 · 04/09/2023 18:56

Mine is dependent on being employed in the same Trust continuously for 12 months by 15th week before due date.

I believe the only way you can carry maternity over from trust to trust or from Job to job is to negotiate before accepting the job.

I had to turn down my dream job recently because of this.

Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:03

Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 18:07

Hi, I am 20 weeks pregnant (21 tomorrow)! I started this job with this NHS employer in June ‘23. I have been employed by the NHS for 5 years in a few weeks, with no breaks in service.

I’ve been informed by my manager that I will only get SMP. As you can imagine, it feels pretty crap after working for the NHS for so long and knowing that other trusts offer a full NHS maternity pay package.

has anyone else have this experience? How did you cope? I am going to contact my Union, but not sure what they can do with it being HR’s policy.

I don't know how to reply directly Wink so I'm hoping this works

A lot of the things I've read is 12 months continuous service including the Agenda for Change handbook... wonder how certain trusts can choose to opt out from this? Maybe it's something I can ask HR as I am genuinely quite curious as most people I've spoke to have gone on continuous service...

Questions like 'why didn't you check this', don't you think I've maybe asked myself this prior to making this post Hmmwhat can I do? I got pregnant as I awaited the start date. You don't know what you don't know!! :)

Maybe I'm just unlucky, oh well, but as you can imagine I really want to explore all options. I have asked HR to go through it with me.

I read online www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Help/RCN-advice/having-a-family#pay that I could be entitled to Maternity Allowance?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/09/2023 19:05

You would only get maternity allowance if you didn't qualify for SMP

Madwomanuptheroad29 · 04/09/2023 19:07

You need to urgently contact your trade union rep.
Maternity pay is regulated by agenda for chamge handbook

Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:14

dementedpixie · 04/09/2023 19:05

You would only get maternity allowance if you didn't qualify for SMP

Sorry - as the link says - contractual maternity allowance

OP posts:
Laughinglama · 04/09/2023 19:24

This happened to someone I know as she moved trusts and missed the qualifying period. I think she had to of been employed by the trust for 1 year at 26 weeks pregnant. She had worked for the NHS for 10 years but it was due to the trust change. Absolutely awful as she expected to get the full maternity package. Raise it with HR but I wonder if that’s the same as yourself

PickledPurplePickle · 04/09/2023 19:27

Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:14

Sorry - as the link says - contractual maternity allowance

Show quote history

It doesn't say contractual maternity allowance, it says maternity allowance and that you only get it if you are not entitled to SMP -

Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:39

Laughinglama · 04/09/2023 19:24

This happened to someone I know as she moved trusts and missed the qualifying period. I think she had to of been employed by the trust for 1 year at 26 weeks pregnant. She had worked for the NHS for 10 years but it was due to the trust change. Absolutely awful as she expected to get the full maternity package. Raise it with HR but I wonder if that’s the same as yourself

It seems like a really unfair lottery. Poor person... I suppose what can you do? Thankfully I do have a partner so things may not be so bad

OP posts:
Mumuser124 · 04/09/2023 19:41

Theres two different types of maternity pay in the NHS. There's SMP which is given if you have continuous NHS service regardless of job change and then there is the maternity element which is dependent on 12 months continuous service in the same job role.

Really tough one OP. Sorry you're in this situation. I had to go to HR to get them to spell as all very confusing. My husband and I have had to put off trying to conceive for 6 months due to this.

dementedpixie · 04/09/2023 19:45

From reading your link about qualifying for NHS pay I wonder if you're actually not entitled to SMP but will be entitled to contractual maternity pay plus maternity allowance.

Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:46

Mumuser124 · 04/09/2023 19:41

Theres two different types of maternity pay in the NHS. There's SMP which is given if you have continuous NHS service regardless of job change and then there is the maternity element which is dependent on 12 months continuous service in the same job role.

Really tough one OP. Sorry you're in this situation. I had to go to HR to get them to spell as all very confusing. My husband and I have had to put off trying to conceive for 6 months due to this.

Thank you for explaining this to me, I really appreciate it and I'll have a chat with HR too just for them to go through it with me as well.

It's important to have perspective I suppose and I'm so lucky to have my husband and to be a mum in just a short few months. These things will always be worked out. Thank god my husband is a teacher which will probs save us child care costs of school holidays over the years! :P

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/09/2023 19:48

From the link

NHS only offer SMP
NHS only offer SMP
Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:50

dementedpixie · 04/09/2023 19:48

From the link

Thank you for looking into this for me. I really do appreciate it :)

OP posts:
PodcastIdeas · 04/09/2023 19:51

Do double (and triple!) check with HR and check the policy for your trust online. I was in an identical situation - I did qualify for OMP (occupational maternity pay) but not SMP but I could claim Maternity Allowance in place of SMP so made almost no difference overall.

Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 19:57

PodcastIdeas · 04/09/2023 19:51

Do double (and triple!) check with HR and check the policy for your trust online. I was in an identical situation - I did qualify for OMP (occupational maternity pay) but not SMP but I could claim Maternity Allowance in place of SMP so made almost no difference overall.

Ah right, wow there's so much variation in what is offered!! My manager did say that possibly they do offer more than SMP but she didn't know so I think speaking to HR is my best bet

OP posts:
Original poster
Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 20:04

Helloimchlo · 04/09/2023 18:07

Hi, I am 20 weeks pregnant (21 tomorrow)! I started this job with this NHS employer in June ‘23. I have been employed by the NHS for 5 years in a few weeks, with no breaks in service.

I’ve been informed by my manager that I will only get SMP. As you can imagine, it feels pretty crap after working for the NHS for so long and knowing that other trusts offer a full NHS maternity pay package.

has anyone else have this experience? How did you cope? I am going to contact my Union, but not sure what they can do with it being HR’s policy.

Anyone know if I can stop paying into my pension for the next few months?

Anyone done this prior to maternity?

I'm a band 7 so paying 9.8% (or something)

OP posts:
mycoffeecup · 04/09/2023 20:08

Your manager is likely wrong. Ask HR in writing and get your union involved, this should be bread and butter for them.

Seashellies · 04/09/2023 20:18

I'd definitely speak to HR, it can be the case but its worth a triple check. I had similar but thankfully it was resolved because they double checked my continuous service was correct in the system (it wasnt). Just another bit of ridiculousness between moving from one trust to another. Congratulations by the way!

buzzlightyearsgloves · 04/09/2023 20:20

Yes you can temporarily opt out of the pension due to financial reasons.
Check with HR your continuation of service date is correct
Check they mean you are eligible for SMP and not SMA as if it's SMA you'll need an SMP1 form to claim this from the job centre