Does having lots of time off sick in early preg affect your right to maternity pay?

[Cosmogirl]

I have really bad morning sickness and have been signed off for two weeks, now working from home (when I'm not feeling ill). Can this affect your right to SMP?

no

No, it is treated as sick leave only and ot related to SMP or MA.

Thanks - that's a relief!

It doesn't affect your right to SMP but it can affect the amount you get.

Your 6 weeks at 90% pay is calculated on your average earnings during "your qualifying period) which is the 8 weeks leading up to the 15th week before your due date.

So if you are off sick and only getting paid Statutory Sick Pay for any part of this time,your average pay will be less than it would be if you were getting your usual full salary.

Doesn't affect your rights at all, but as IOS said, depending on how much you get paid when off sick and when during your pregnancy it is, it will affect how much you get.

oh....ok....that's a bummer.