If I leave my job will I get some kind of maternity allowance?

[Sarahlf92x]

Hi all
Bit of a confusing one but basically I'm 27weeks pregnant today, have been working for a horrendous company since the beginning of February this year and it has become so stressful I really do not want to go back! Wasn't going to start my maternity leave until December (due date is Dec 23) but my issue is if I do leave will I get any kind of maternity pay?

I've been there 8 months so before I fell pregnant and worked full time but never signed a contract so as far as it goes I legally don't have to give any notice?

Tia
Sarah x

Not a HR professional but have been responsible for payroll and working out SMP entitlements in my job.

As I remember it your employer must pay you maternity pay if you were employed by them 15 weeks before your expected due date on the firm MATB1 provided by your midwife. So when you are 25 weeks. This applies even if you subsequently leave the job. You must also have been employed by them for at least 26 weeks before you reach this "qualifying week" which you will b fine with as you were not pregnant when you started.

Your maternity leave can start 11 weeks before your due date, so at 29 weeks.

In your place I would go on leave at this date as you don't have long to wait. Bear in mind you have to give 28 days notice of the date you want your leave and SMP to start so you really need to do it now.

You don't need to give a return date and can just tell them you don't intend to return after you have received all your SMP. You will not need to repay SMP if you don't return.

Also the fact you haven't signed a contract doesn't mean you don't have to give notice of the date you want your leave to start. If you don't give the right notice you won't get your SMP

If you have any leave accrued you could take that before starting ml. It is probably worth keeping your options open by going on ml and resigning later. Are there any benefits which cone with the job as you should keep those during ml.