Maternity Pay

kaz0705

I am just looking for some advice really.

I have worked hard for a year since my LBM to pay off my debt and intend to be debt free before my 30th birthday next May.

As such, my partner and I planned to start trying for a baby next February (after I complete a charity challenge to climb Kilimanjaro). I've always wanted to have 3 children, if able, so know that the earlier in my thirties, the better.

However, the working world is looking to scupper our plans :-(

My job is looking very vulnerable. I work for a charity and we're starting to struggle. It was a surprise because we've had a 'business plan' budget rather than the usual 'hope for the best' budget that charities often have. But for various reasons and a future builders loan that needs to start being repaid, the forecasted budget is falling short. Some redundancies have been made and I've survived this cut but am unlikely to make the next cut (I'm not a frontline worker so ultimately am disposable).

However, I've been with the company nearly 2 years and it will have been 3 by the time I was (hopefully) pregnant.

Now, the question: is there a minimum timeframe that all companies have to adhere to for paying maternity? I'm wondering if I end up in a new job in a couple of months, will I have to work another 2 years (being 31 - or nearly) before I qualify for maternity pay?

It's probably a bit misleading for me at present as my company had a fantastic policy where you can qualify after 1 year, with allowances getting better after two and again after 3. Is this normal or have I based my well thought out plans on a stupid hope? There's no way we will be able to afford to have children without maternity pay :-(

Any advice welcomed!

xxx

PS I totally understand that I'm not taking into account nature and my ability to actually get pregnant! Fingers crossed though :-)

onlyroz

I think it's six months with the same company before you qualify for SMP, but if you don't qualify for that then you'll almost certainly qualify for Maternity Allowance.

twi1ight

To qualify for statutory maternity pay you have to have been working for the company for (I think) 1 or 2 weeks before becoming pregnant. So, as long as you're employed when you start trying then should be fine. Saying that, if a company offers an enhanced maternity package it's normally for people who have been there for longer (1-2years I expect but not sure).

kaz0705

AH, ok, so that must have been it; an enhanced package. Dare I ask what SMP is?

twi1ight

Found this...
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)

Source: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

wendz86

That is statutory maternity pay so what everyone who works and is entitled to gets and the government pays, anything enhanced is paid for by your company.

kaz0705

I really could have used google, couldn't I? :-)

But always like to use this forum as I like the extra information that everyone seems to provide!

Thanks for the responses so far!

xxx

wendz86

Oh and you get 6 weeks at 90% pay and 33 weeks at statutory which is from april about £128 a week.

twi1ight

SMP is statutory maternity pay

Forgot to say, well done on working at the debt repayments :T
And fundraising efforts :T

kaz0705

Ok, so things don't look so bleak after all! Would still be a big drop in wages but I figure my parents (and partner's) survived on very little and we both were loved- that's all that counts, right?

Now I'm faced with a genuine problem: leave the charity sector and a job I love and go corporate so I get debt free quicker and can provide my future family with a better standard of living? I love love love my job but it's quick specific so not a lot of similar jobs on the market now the third sector is being torn apart (but thankful good transferable skills though from job)....

onlyroz

kaz0705 wrote: »

Now I'm faced with a genuine problem: leave the charity sector and a job I love and go corporate so I get debt free quicker and can provide my future family with a better standard of living? I love love love my job but it's quick specific so not a lot of similar jobs on the market now the third sector is being torn apart (but thankful good transferable skills though from job)....

Only you can answer that, although you might find that your priorities change once you've had bubs. I was a scientist - a job I loved, but the pay was peanuts and most work in academia is on short-term contracts. I'm now a software engineer on much better pay in a steadier job. Not as interesting, but now I've got kids I think that the most important thing is to provide for *them* rather than some airy-fairy notion about saving the world...