Maternity entitlements when starting a job pregnant

[emsyj]

I'm starting a new job in 2 weeks and will be 19 weeks pregnant. As far as I can make out, I will be entitled to up to 52 weeks' mat leave in the same way as if I had been employed before falling pregnant, but obviously won't get maternity pay (I will be entitled to claim maternity allowance through the job centre though).

Is this right? I spoke briefly to my new boss last week (I'm starting a graduate training programme with a government department so there are a few things that they've been discussing internally about my position) and he said I would be entitled to up to 26 weeks' maternity leave, but that will not be enough as I remember from last time that DD's sleep was at its very worst at that stage! Also, I don't want to waste the opportunity to get my 9 months' maternity allowance....

Also, will I accrue holidays and be entitled to continue to receive childcare vouchers (they will be salary sacrificed)? It doesn't matter too much if not, I'm just idly curious. My main issue is whether I am entitled to Additional Maternity Leave, which direct.gov suggests I am. I am aware of the difference between OML and AML and I am fairly sure that they couldn't put me off the course after OML as there is no 'equivalent' role that they could shift me to. It's a very specific training course that lasts a number of years so not really any equivalent other job.

Thanks in advance.

Your boss is wrong. Everyone is entitled to 52 weeks; OML and AML, the only difference between the two being the return to work rights as you know.

I have been in this same situation this year! You are entitled to 52 weeks but you will have to claim maternity allowance which is paid for 39 weeks. Holidays will accrue as normal.
I would ask for a copy of the maternity policy, could be they just don't really get it :)

I will have a look on the intranet about maternity policies etc when I start. I wonder if the guy just had a slip of the tongue, as he asked me if I had any idea how long I would want to take off and I was vaguely talking about taking less than the full year this time but being realistic about sleep etc.

Well if a government department can't get it right there's no hope really - although the HR team at my last employer when I was pregnant with DD argued for aaaaages with me about pension contributions whilst I was on mat leave - it was a law firm and I was a pensions lawyer. They believed me eventually, but I had to get an employment partner to intervene.

Unless your boss is an HR person it's not at all surprising he'd get it wrong, so more likely to be a genuine mistake rather than a slip of the tongue. I'm sure once youve got the internal policy it will be clear.