zero hours contract & maternity pay

[SophieBarringtonWard]

I am on a zero hours contract in the NHS although I haven't actually got a physical contract & I don't think one will be forthcoming… I am basically bank staff paid for when I work sessions. I am also newly pregnant - became pregnant & started the job simultaneously really. I am not clear on whether I should have SMP or whether I will need to apply for maternity allowance? Any knowledge? It's too early for me to want to ask at work!

if you weren't already employed when you became pregnant you will likely be needing to apply for MA. But do tell them you are pregnant so that appropriate risk assessments can be done.

I don't know on the zero hours side but the smp or ma question is answered here.

It's hard to figure it out because I am not sure when precisely I became "employed" by them - I wasn't pregnant when I attended the corporate induction (for which I was paid), but I was pregnant when I first worked in my actual job. If that makes sense. But looking at the SMP vs MA website, i think it will be MA anyway as I don't think I will be earning £111 a week on average as it is just term time work so gaps in pay…

Although this is DC3 it's the first time I have even possibly qualified for any pay so it's quite exciting! Was 2 weeks short for MA with DC1...