Maternity pay or not?

Lisaj1

Hi I started a new job in September and it's only a fixed term contract until July with the likelihood of being offered a permanent contract after that. However I've just found out that I'm pregnant and the baby will be due in august. I'm sure they won't say it's the reason but I can't see them offering me a permanent contract only to have to pay maternity pay so what will my options be?

I'm so confused about it so any help or guidance would be appreciated, thanks.

Savvy_Sue

Start here and work your way through the eligibility calculator.

happybunny86

If you have been employed for 26 weeks out of the last 66 before the baby is due then you will be entitled to maternity allowance. This is paid by the government and you can receive it from up to 11 weeks before your baby is due and you get £140.98 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks.

In all honestly there’s very little different between that and statutory if that’s all your employer offered. The main difference I’d you get 6 weeks full pay at the beginning with stat. You also have to apply for maternity allowable yourself which is a pain and I found confusing submitting and getting together the right pay slips etc. The other difference is you have to notify them when you go back to work. I assumed they would know this by you paying tax again but they don’t. If you don’t tell them you get £50 fine at least.

All the info on applying for MA is here:
https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/what-youll-get