Hi All,
I recently had my 12 week scan and baby is due next year in February, all very exciting however I am really struggling with navigating what I am entitled to on the maternity front.
I currently work for an education charity and due to funding a lot of the contracts are 1 year fixed term such as mine. I have been there for 2.5 years as my contract always gets renewed but unfortunately fall short of 4 years service which automatically makes me perm.
The organisation offer 26 weeks occupational maternity pay at normal earnings but I have realised that my current fixed term contract ends in April which will only be 8 weeks or so after the baby is born.
Is the organisation compelled to extend my contract and pay the full occupational maternity pay? They have already advertised for my maternity cover and the understanding is that I will return to work after my leave but I am obviously worried that they will just let the fixed term contract expire so that they don't have to pay me for the majority of my maternity leave.
Also I have a second job with another organisation which is essentially a zero hours casual work contract where I mark essays and papers ad hoc, I do this once or twice a year for a couple of weeks or so and get paid around £500. If I wanted to continue this, would it affect either my OMP or SMP.
Thank you for any help.