Delaying when Maternity Pay starts

donnalou

Hi There,

I'll be really greatful for any advice with this.

I'm expecting my first child on 24th December.

My orginal plan was to save my hoilday and have 3 weeks off before the due date and then start maternity pay from the due date.

My boss has suggested that I work up until I have the baby ( December is very quite month and I can work from home, we are then closed for 1 1/2 weeks over Christmas) and then take my 3 weeks holiday and start Maternity Pay after that. Obviously the baby can come early so this plan can be thrown out the window.

I would just like to know if this is an option, I would get everything in writing anyway.

Thanks for your help

Donna

AnKsMumma

You would need to speak to your HR department.

In my office I was told that I must be on maternity leave by the time that my baby was born so I had to take the annual leave that I wanted to take before my due date.

I worked until I was 37 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and it was really hard going. You might want to have a think about whether you could do with some resting/alone time before the baby comes.

Congratulations

kst101

I am pretty sure that maternity leave starts automatically when your baby is born (or earlier of course). I had planned holiday up until 10 days before my son was due to be born but he was born 11 days early.

When I did go back to work I think I got back the extra day's holiday.

chrisbur

From http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_175869

"The earliest your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) can start is from the 11th week before the week your baby is due. The latest is from the day following the birth."

donnalou

Thanks for your replies guys.

It looks like I will have to take all my holiday before 24th Dec then or I may lose it if the baby comes early.