Maternity leave for supply workers

[ProudCrow]

I am currently employed as a permanent home carer within my local authority, started very recently. This job is not ideal when it comes to family life (working Christmas, long shifts etc).

If I were to change my contract to casual/supply, I’m guessing I lose out on the opportunity for SMP? I’m not pregnant again but looking into the future. Not sure how this all works and unable to ask management due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Would you be employed through an agency?

The other option is Maternity Allowance if you don't qualify for SMP

If you work for a local authority, you're likely to be entitled to occupational maternity pay (as well as statutory maternity pay) with a permanent contract. If you go casual/supply, you'll lose occupational entitlement. Statutory maternity pay, you will be entitled to it on casual/supply assuming you earn enough for it. It would be worth you can getting hold of their maternity policy, eg if you have access to their staff internet or phoning their HR dept and getting them to email their policy to you.

The other thing you could do is put in a flexible working request to reduce your hours or shift pattern. Again, get a hold of their policy on this...they can only decline on good business grounds. Don't relinquish a permanent contract :)

It is highly unlikely that there will be much, if any, flexibility in this sector. Care work is 24/7/365. Nobody wants to work long hours / unsociable hours / Christmas - but care is needed all those times. And that is the "good business grounds" for refusing.