Work have just changed Mat Policy, OMG freaking out now!

[ttcbambino#1]

OMG work have just stated that as this year is going to be really really tight they will be withdrawiung their Company Maternity Policy as described in out HR manual, which means they will now only pay SMP. A few sales people have been made redundant, well they are actually still working for us but can afford to work temnpoarily without pay, so freelance so to speak, so they can't justify paying Company Mat Pay when they have people working for us for free.

My job is sfae till June and have been told a set amount of cash has been put aside for me if things haven't improved by then and this will be my redundacy money (equivalent of 8 mths wages). This is great in the short term, in fact I'd be better off being made redundant!

Problem is I'm the main bread winner (hubby got made redundant December 08and started working again Feb 09) and hubby earns very little now. Now they have withdrawn company pay SMP is going to leave us very very short and I'm starting to panic and freak out. SMP would be less than 20% of my normal mthly pay after tax and we we're expecting 50% on company pay with me having to return to work after 6-9 mths.

I know we shouldn't have really relied on the company pay, but this is a complete shock and totally unexpected. How will we ever get by on just SMP and hubby's wage, he doesn't earn anywhere near enough to cover a larger share of the bills, I'm so worried and feel under so much pressure now as I'm the main earner and we rely on me to pay majority of the bills etc. I'm now thinking I'll have to return to work after the 6weeks so we don't have to take the lower SMP

 

[Blah11]

can they do that when you're already pregnant?

 

[ellismum]

I'm sure they can unfortunatley An additional benefits above SMP is at the companies discretion and re-payable should you choose to not return after mat leave. I know it's not much but you will be intitled to Child Benefit at £20pw and CTC which could be favourable as you are both on lower incomes (when calculating it will base it on this years salary but you amend it to the current income once it's all finalised) Have a look at entitledto (google) to get an idea as to what you can expect, look at where you money is going every month and strip back on non-essentials like Sky, Gym Memberships etc..

 

[ttcbambino#1]

I think I'm just completely gob smacked to be honest!! I really would be better of redundant in the short term but don't really want to ask if I can take that voluntarily as it's a good company generally and would like to come back. It's just all going to be happening around the time I go on mat leave in June, I'll be worrying if I have a job still or what pay I'll be getting all on top of baby coming, eeek!!!

 

[LankyDoodle]

Re the better off redundant thing: it really depends what type of work you do. If you are in a job where there are still a lot of positions available, redundancy could be good and you won't have much trouble finding another job when you choose to go back to work (although whether this will give 2500 a month take-home is anyone's guess); if you are in a job which is being cut back on due to the climate then it's a different thing.

It depends how long you are having off as well, as this time next year the economy could look very different again.

Sorry about the maternity pay thing, but as someone else said, it is paid at the company's discretion.

Oh and also, if they make you redundant after 25th week of pregnancy, they still have to pay your SMP.

 

[Mellage]

If you pay a mortgage you could always speak to your provider about a temporary break. OR if possible see if you can go back slightly earlier and work part time from home or something to try and make up the balance. We've had to do both

 

[bexxie]

When you apply for the tax credits dont forget to deduct first £100 a week for earnings so you should get a good amount from them.

I am with Northern Rock and they let you have a 6 month mortgage holiday for maternity you just have to send in your MATB1 form.

Hope it all goes well
xx