someone put my mind at rest please!

[kezzaside]

Me and my OH have been TTC since March. I'm so worried about maternity pay because I start a new job in 3 weeks, if I already am, will I still get some sort of pay even if it isn't through my new employer? A few people have already said I will but I just can't let my mind rest. I just don't want to fall pregnant and get £0! Xx

 

[Clara cluck]

Hi, are you in the UK? If so you should get Statutory Maternity pay. Google this and it should lead you to a government website that will offer more info. Good luck! x

 

[smiley330]

Hiya,

If you are in the UK you have to be employed by the company for a week before you fall pregnant (they word it funny / complicated on the website but that is what it means!) and you will be entitled to statutory maternity pay - if you're not, then you will be entitled to maternity allowance. I can't remember the difference in the amounts, but you will definitely be entitled to something as long as you are employed! Hope that helps x

 

[Ashlee B x]

I started a new job n after 5 eek workin there found out i was 4 weeks pregnant. If ur workin there longer than 26 weeks and your further gone than 26 weeks your employer should pay you (make sense) lol

 

[kezzaside]

Thank you, yes I'm in the UK. Iv been on the government websites, all so confusing!! Lol Xx

 

[smiley330]

It is really confusing!! But I went to see someone to confirm this as I was thinking about changing jobs and wanted to check if I would be entitled to anything. So don't worry - you will definitely get something from the government. Most employers will only pay out after you have been working there for so long (unless you have a really nice employer!!) usually 6 months (my current employer doesnt have any maternity benefits so still doesnt pay anything and i've been there 4 years!!) So I will only receive government statutory maternity pay through them.

 

[kezzaside]

I didn't think that was allowed?! Surely every employer should pay you maternity leave, especially after 4 year! It's human rights Xx

 

[smiley330]

Nope, anything employers pay you whilst you're on maternity leave is up to their discretion. (they set their own company policy - worth checking when you go to a new job!) They have to pay you statutory maternity pay but that comes from the government (they just pass it on to you type thing) - My employer is an arse though, and probably the only company left in the country that doesn't give any benefits!! *sigh*

 

[kezzaside]

That's bad! I sort of scanned quickly over my staff handbook quickly, but will have to ask to look at it again when I start Xx

 

[redbubble]

I had this worry too. The Statutory maternity pay is something silly like £128pw - that wouldnt even pay my half of the rent every month, let alone the bills. Im lucky in that the company i work for have a great maternity package and pay you extra. Its only for the first 6 months and then it drops to the statutory if you want the other 6 months off - which i cant afford
xx

 

[MrsV78]

Who can get SMP?
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