Need advice re new job and recently discovered pregnancy

[mrsholroyd]

Hey all. First time on here but was recommed to come on. I have just found out that i am 5 weeks pregnant and have just started a new job covering a maternity contract with a view to going permanent. Initially the contract is for 9 months, so it ends on 27 December. Im due on 31 December. I went on the governent website which has indicated i will get SMP as i qualify for it by one day! What i dont understand is whether i will be entitled to it being on a temporary contract?

For example, if i start mat leave on 1 December, my contract is really only for another 4 weeks, but i'd be entitled to the 6 weeks 90% pay. Would i still be entitled to this as im on a contract?? Wold it be beneficial for me to finish 6 weeks before my due date to guarantee the 90% so that when i move on to the 33 weeks at £135 per week it wont matter whether im receiving from the "employee" or through the government?

Sorry to bombard with questions, i just want to know where i stand more than anything and dont really want to approach the company yet as im so early into the pregnancy x

From what I understand, and I'm by no means an expert, between 15 and 8 weeks before mat leave is what you have classed as average pay, so this in theory is what they'll work your percentages on (got that from gov website which I used to work my own situation out). As for your company, most companies have their own system, so difficult to know. Some you have to work for a year before full company rights, but as I said each is different, so I'd check. I'm pretty sure you're entitled to some kind of stat though. Good luck

SMP is purely based on how long you've been employed and how much you earn, not on whether the employment is temporary, permanent or whatever. Once you qualify on that basis you will receive it even if employment ends soon afterwards.