Hi,
My company has been hit hard by Covid as it's hospitality, and I've been furloughed since March. I am due to go back to work in November but they are making me sign a contract to reduce my hours to 2 days a week instead of 4 (it's my whole team, not just me), and they are not using the government top up scheme that was just announced. At least I have a job, so can't complain too much, but I'm really worried about the financial implications.
We are due our baby in mid-Feb, so this means that the first 6 weeks of SMP at 90% of salary will be calculated on my reduced hours/2 days a week pay, rather than my usual pre-covid salary. At least I think this is what it menas, but I can't find any advice anywhere, and can't get through to maternity action as it's always busy.
It will mean I loose out on around £2,500, which in the scheme of things right now is a significant amount given I've been on a reduced salary since March, which is reducing even further from Nov-Feb, and most of next year I will be on the 150/week statutory pay.
Does anyone know if I have any right to claim the 90% at my pre-covid full salary, rather than the reduced hours contract I'm being made to sign? Any signposting to advice would be really helpful.
Thank you!