Zero hour contracts And maternity pay where do I stand?

Pickle85

I have a zero hour contract Job. I started in April of this year. I wanted to get out of my old job which was permanent due to hating it and it not being a safe place for me when I wanted to have a baby. Now I have my new job and I lOve it!
I get 3 months contract a time but will be laid off for about a month once a year so they don't have to give me a proper contract I guess. Now firstly I'm scared that if I get pregnant will they not renew my contract so I can work through my pregnancy? And secondly I know I won't be entitled to a company maternity pay and I'm guessing they won't give me a statutory one as I earn too much to be taking 90%!of my wages home or do I! I really don't know how it all works and I would want to go back to this job as it would fit perfectly around a baby! So what help can I get for maternity pay or benefits?
Sorry it's long but this had been a massive desicion for us and I am approaching my thirties and don't want to leave it much longer x

Pickle85

any info would really be a great help x

pmlindyloo

I think the reason that nobody has replied is that your question is a complicated one.

I have found this article for you:

http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/parents-and-carers/rights-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/maternity-pay-for-agency-workers-seasonal-workers-or-casual-employees


To be honest, in your circumstances I would be visiting CAB. (choose one with an employment specialist)

Take along your contracts and the dates that you have worked.

Does it say anything in your contract about maternity pay?

Are there any other employees who have become preganant who were in the same situation who you could ask?

Pickle85

Thankyou for that link, yeah i want to go to cab but our local one has closed.

unfortunatley none of the zero hour staff i work with have had pregnancys its all the ones with the nice big contracts going off on maternity pay at the moment lol

theres quite a grey area on the whole zero hour contract and although my staff handbook says all about maternity
etc it doesnt apply to me as the handbook is made for all staff so it says a lot of stuff that doesnt apply to me.

the thing im scared off is them not renewing my contract once i become pregnant as them i wont even be entitled to maternity allowance or smp and as i said i do want to rretrn to this job