Shared parental - so confused!

[amywhattodo]

Need some clarification please.

I am NOT eligible for Shared parental pay.

However, my partner gets occupational and shared parental pay from his employer (as long as i am on maternity allowance).

-I am in a PAYE job now so eligible for maternity leave.

Once baby is born, can I choose when to curtail my maternity allowance to create shared parental for my partner?

Is it also correct that once i curtail my maternity allowance to my partner to create shared parental, that i would have to go straight back to work even if i have statutory maternity leave with my employer?

It's a confusing topic!

thanks guys

So the pay and leave are two elements. You can choose to “give” some of your maternity leave entitlement to your partner if you are eligible. You can both be off at the same time for up to 6 months, or you could be off for 9 months and then he has three for example. There is only a years worth of leave to be shared between the two of you. You can check your eligibility here

The pay element is separate and any occupational pay your partners employer pay over the statutory amount depends on what his contract says.