When does this (Civil Service) maternity policy kick in?

[HolidayByMistake]

Statutory maternity pay at my department is pretty clear - you're entitled to it provided you have 26 weeks continuous service by 15 weeks before EWC (so, I'm taking that to be when you're about 25 weeks pregnant).

The enhanced maternity policy is a little less clear.

'To qualify for the Maternity Scheme you must have completed at least 1 year’s paid employment with the Civil Service either on full-time or part-time basis. The year’s service need not be continuous but you must be in paid service when you start maternity leave.'

I'm taking that to mean you must have worked for the Civil Service for at least a year by the time you actually start maternity leave - is that right?

I'm now worrying that, although it's not explicit, they also mean by 15 weeks before EWC i.e. that you must have worked for the Civil Service for one year by the time you're about 25 weeks pregnant.

Can anyone shed any light?

Easiest thing is to email HR, thats what i did, and they gave me the specific dates so i could work out when to start TTC.

I would take that to be you have to work a year before starting maternoty leave but worth checking!

I would take it to be a year when you go on maternity leave. Because that's what it says.

Remember statutory policy is a - er- statutory thing whereas your company's individual policy is defined by them. No particular reason why they should line up.