Maternity leave

SuperSaverSue_2

How long do you have to work somewhere before you can qualify for mat leave? I am thinking of starting evening work at our local supermarket, just to save some pennies for when we try for another baby and wondered how long I need to work for before getting pregnant?

Thanks

Sue

yummymummy222

Hi, with most company's it's 26 weeks.

MRS_TO_BE_2

best site to check out is directgov...loads of info there.

squashy

You will be entitled to maternity leave of up to a year regardless. However maternity pay is a whole new kettle of fish!

For SMP you have to have worked there 26 weeks at 25 weeks pregnant (ie have at least one period while you are there). SMP is a fixed rate which is something like 6 weeks at 90% pay then 33 weeks at basic rate which is about £112 a week. However most comapnies have an extra package where they give you more money than the basic rate of SMP. The criteria for this is purely up to the company itself. My old employee gave 6 months at full pay, my current one stipulated you had to have a least a year's service befire you got the extra package and then it was so many weeks at full pay, then half pay etc.

If you discover you are pregnant just after starting your new job and the pregnancy pre-dates your start date, then you will only qualify for a materity allowance which is again a basic rate.

The good news is, you can apply for Tax Credits and they don't count the first £100 per week of any maternity pay.

elle_gee

The rate is currently £117.18 for 2008-09 (previously £112-iah in 2007-08).

That said, if you're not pregnant by now, you will only go onto SMP after April 2009 which will be even higher, around £120-125 at a guess.

I'm pregnant and due at the beginning of March 2009. Hopefully I can stay at work (office job) until mid-Feb, then I'll have six weeks at 90% and then on to SMP from April 2009. No enhanced package where I work unfortunately (there are about 25 women and 220 men).

onlyroz

If you don't qualify for SMP you might qualify for Maternity Allowance - which I think pays at the same rate, but is dependent upon you having worked for someone for (I think) 26 weeks in the past year. You should be able to find out what you need to know through google, or ask at a Job Centre Plus.