Maternity Leave..

CL

I think the confusion here seems to be that the OP hasn't realised the first two timebands he has given overlap. I think it should be:

6 weeks full pay
From 6 weeks to week 20 50% or SMP whichever is greater
20 weeks at SMP.

Which would be 39 weeks/9 months.

Also the goverment paying SMP, I think what is meant by that is HMRC refund 92% of SMP to the employer (more for a small employer). Employer pays you, HMRC refunds 92%.

Be careful about the qualifying weeks. Your SMP is usually calculated by taking the % calculated from the average of the 8 weeks to the qualifying week (15 weeks before due date). In your case this would be Sunday, May 26, 2013 to Saturday, July 20, 2013. If your OH is only getting SMP in this period, the 50% of salary they talk about could be 50% of SMP, not 50% of her normal wage. You need to clarify this.

bethl79

I had a similar situation a few years ago, I have 12 months age gap between my youngest two daughters. I took 2 years of maternity leave altogether, without having to return to work in between, but the second year I was only entitled to maternity allowance as I hadn't earned enough to qualify for SMP.

Olza23

Hi all just wnated to give an update.

We have dug out her maternity paperwork and it is as follows:

(quote)

Pay:
During the first 26 weeks of maternity leave, colleagues will receive OMP (Occupational Maternity Pay) as a 'top-up' to either SMP (Statutory Maternity Pay) or MA (maternity allowance). This 'Top up' gives individuals the equivalent of 100% of their 'average weekly earnings' for the first 6 weeks and then 50% of their 'average weekly earnings' for the next 20 weeks. After the 26 week OMP period, either SMP of MA continues for a further 13 weeks at the standard rate. The remaining period of maternity leave is then unpaid.

We also spoke to her HR department again and informed the operator that my partner is pregnant again and what happens next. She said the maternity pay just starts again but didn't go into any detail regards what money she would get. There is nothing in writing that I can find in her maternity pack so unsure what to do next.

Thanks for all your help.