SMP/Bonus.

NBDS

Hi Everyone!
I am trying to arm myself with as much knowledge pre having my chat with work about maternity pay.

Contractually I am only due SMP (I know other people here have been able to negotiate enhancements due to length of employment etc but I am focusing on the worst-case scenario).

I am now almost 27 weeks (slight delay in my chat due to xmas but work informed in good time about due date, mat start date etc). Therefore I understand the average wage (which I will get 90% of for 6 weeks) will be worked out on my last two wages, Nov & Dec. Dec included my bonus - which I now understand IS factored in. This will make a huge difference...so I hope I am correct.

Can anyone clarify this is the case?

spadoosh

I would assume any bonus payments where excluded in calculating statutory maternity myself.

Only your contract would clarify it.

marliepanda

Its unlikely, as someone leaving for maternity any other time would be unduly 'penalised'

The way you describe it, you'll end up getting your bonus 2.5 times (almost)

NBDS

My contract states SMP, which is what this is.

From what I’ve read on the gov.uk website and various others bonus’ are taken into account if in the period that calculate on.

I’m hoping I’ve just been fortunate with how my due dates fallen.

spadoosh

NBDS wrote: »

My contract states SMP, which is what this is.

From what I’ve read on the gov.uk website and various others bonus’ are taken into account if in the period that calculate on.

I’m hoping I’ve just been fortunate with how my due dates fallen.

Yeh just read through it and it suggests all earnings that fall under class 1 NIC's which includes bonuses are used when calculating average weekly earnings.

Shows what happens when you assume!

NBDS

spadoosh wrote: »

Shows what happens when you assume!

Seems too good to be true doesn't it!

If what I think is correct, it actually benefits me to have SMP rather than what I thought work could possibly give me (which was max. 12 weeks full pay).

lauraliz1985

I had the same scenario with my son, bonus was payable in Nov/Dec and he was born in April. I got a larger amount of money in the first 6 weeks of my maternity leave as my bonus payment fell in the period that was used to calculate my average wage.

Comms69

Almost all bonuses are discretionary - so up to the employer

ceh209

Comms69 wrote: »

Almost all bonuses are discretionary - so up to the employer

But if they take away your bonus to reduce your maternity pay (and you can prove that's why) they're skating on thin ice with discrimination laws...