maternity pay??

[zombina]

I recently found out I am pregnant and rang my works head office to find out about maternity pay, they said to me I wasn't entitled to it as I haven't been with the company for 2 years but I thought it was only 6 months??

Please could someone help me!

Thanks, Jess xxx

 

[kirst1805]

Taken from the Directgov website:

To qualify for SMP you must have been:

employed by the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week your baby is due (the qualifying week)

earning on average an amount which at least equals the lower earnings limit which applies on the Saturday at the end of your qualifying week

The lower earnings limit is the amount you have to earn before you are treated as paying National Insurance contributions. This is £102 a week if the end of your qualifying week is in the 2011-12 tax year.

So in a nutshell, you should be working for them from a week or two before you got pregnant.. xxx

 

[Loui1001]

You should definitely be entitled to it hun, I'd refer them to the Directgov website!

 

[toffee87]

It may be that you are only entitled to smp, not their scheme.

 

[nickibrum]

I agree with Broody... it sounds like they are saying you dont qualify for their own scheme.

 

[littleblonde]

2 years would be for there own maternity pay. you will be entitled to get smp

 

[xxembobxx]

I got a booklet in my Bounty pack from BERR but you can download their forms if your work aren't sure of their responsibilities - it has a handy tear off section for employers as well as info for employees.

 

[zombina]

Thanks guys I haven't been in touch with them again since I rang but will see this week. I'm just terrified I'm not going to have any money to get by on!!