NHS maternity leave

Bouncybubbles

Hi all


My hubby and I are hoping to start trying for a baby soon (within this year). I'm 29 and he is 33. I also have pcos and have been told we may struggle hence wanting to start now despite all the finances not being 100%. Basically I am on a DMP which doesn't finish for a couple of years. We both have cars on finance (need two cars for work) both in negative equity so cant get rid. Anyway working on the scenario that I was to fall straight away I was wondering what I could expect in terms of maternity pay? I have looked into benefits/ tax credits etc and we are not eligible for anything..... I work for the NHS and have continuous service of 9 years in april however currently on my 5th month into a new (higher band) post. I have googled it but I cant figure out what half of it is on about. And having spoken to a few colleagues some of them stated pay was really good with some months actually surpassing what they got working? how on earth can that be right? Sorry for the long post but I want to ensure we can still meet all our bills + DMP payments whilst I'm off. Thankyou all

Peccary

Hi,
Your new band won't affect your entitlement, it's based on continuous service. Sounds like you would be given a mixture of occupational and statutory pay. the Trust I used to work for pays 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay (this is the occupational part). I think you get statutory on top of this too. you would then get a further 13 weeks of statutory pay (£139 per week) and can take a further 13 weeks unpaid.

You can also claim child benefit

Not sure what you colleagues mean, maybe something to do with holidays or tax? Ask your colleagues how holiday days are calculated? I go on leave in June and my work are letting me carry over unused leave and combine it with that accrued next year while off, this translates to an extra month on full pay (11 months mat leave + 1 month annual leave)

It helps to add all that up and work out what it would average over the number of months you want to take?

penguingirl

What peccary says is right. There's a page summarising it here- http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/nhs-terms-and-conditions/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/parents-and-carers/maternity-leave-and-pay-section-15

Also check your trust's maternity policy for details about leave- my trust allows you to carry over all annual leave and bank holidays. You also get increments as normal on maternity leave. You'll have to double check but your pay is based on a certain time frame in your pregnancy (something like weeks 15-20). I know of nurses who have worked unsocial hours during these weeks to maximise their pay.

Meepmeep

Def check your NHS trust policy - as my trust won't let me carry over any of my annual leave. Meaning I have to take 33+8 (bank hols) days leave before I go on mat leave - resulting in me having to go on leave a couple of months earlier than I wanted. This has the knock on effect of not being able to take the AL at the end of May leave and ultimately get paid the last couple of months (when not receiving mat pay). So may have to return to work earlier than I wanted.

Just something for you to consider!

Bouncybubbles

Thank you all I will be in touch with HR as soon as possible