maternity entitlement

[Boblina]

Hi there I have been back at work for just under a year (working part time)and I have been thinking of going full time. We are trying for another child. Obviously we don't know how long it will take but I am a little worried what colleagues would say if I did return full time and then became pregnant. Also does anyone know what the law says. How long would you have to be working full time to get the full time maternity pay.

Wouldn't worry about what other people may or may not say if and when you fall pregnant with No 2. It's none of their business, and as you cannot predict with any certainty when you will conceive, it is a bit daft to plan your life around something that could take a month, or on the other hand, could take years.

Secondly, I think once you are working full time, your maternity pay is calculated on your current salary and you should therefore get what your company or organisation pays for maternity pay. SMP is the same regardless.

Look here for more info:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/index.htm.

PS - and don't forget to have fun trying!

Boblina really don't worry about it at all - go full time and fingers crossed for you on the pg front

Thanks again for your advice.

Boblina,

In terms of statutory maternity pay, that is calculated based on actual earnings during a set portion of your pregnancy (during the second trimester). Usually any company enhanced pay is worked out the same way, but do just check. It would be perfectly possible for your company to say, for example, that they calculated it on average earnings for the last 12 months. If so, you might want to bear that in mind.

In terms of what others think - none of their business. As others have said, these things can take time so you can't plan your career around them. If you feel at all awkward, just do what hundreds of other women have done before you and claim that no. 2 is a 'surprise'!

One other thing to bear in mind, are you happy you will be able to cope with DC1, working full time and being pregnant? I know some women say that the days at work are easier than the days at home, but just bear in mind that if you've only just scaled up to full time, you might find that your employer is not that keen on you dropping back to part time right away (although, obviously, that would not stop you being signed off sick if there were issues, what you were paid would depend on company policy). Also, do you want to give yourself time to readjust to being full time and keeping all those balls in the air before TTC? Obviously a v personal decision...