Maternity Allowance & Leave Entitlement

[wigglesrock]

Currently 19 weeks pregnant, started new job when 6 weeks pregnant, know I am not entitled to SMP, but was curious about leave. Employer calculated leave due to end of March 2011, he is now not sure if I'm entitled to that leave, I will be finishing work end of December and was obviously going to use some leave before starting MA. Any help?

You are entitled to a year maternity leave. It's only SMP that depends on how long you've been there. Everyone gets a year maternity leave.

Just so I can get this right in my head, am taking 40 weeks on MA (can't afford unpaid leave), for example my employer calculated that I was due 52 hours annual leave from when I started job to end of leave year (March 2011). They are now saying that they are not sure I am due the 52 hrs annual leave as I will not be working until end of March.

Isn't MA 39 weeks same as SMP?

You accrue holiday as normal through maternity leave. You accrue leave because you are an employee, not because you are working.

HTH

Brillant RibenaBerry thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Much appreciated