NHS Maternity pay ?

Gantry77

Hi all,

My wife works as a nurse in the NHS, Band 7.

We have one child who is currently at the Hospital staff nursery and this cost comes out of my wife’s salary Under Salary Sacrifice scheme.

We have a 2nd child due (fingers crosses).
From what I understand my wifes maternity pay would be based off her salary over an 8 week period. your average weekly earnings for the 8 weeks ending with the qualifying week, which is the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth.

My wife current works 76% of her full time hours.

So 2 questions.

1. Should we pull out of Salary sacrifice 15th weeks before due date (which would increase her salary on her monthly statement).
   
   Also (not sure how practical this is BUT
2. If my wife worked BANK shifts during this 8 week period, lets say she works an extra 24% of her hours would

She then be entitled to full maternity pay ?

I think these BANK shift are paid by a different employer(agency) so probably don’t count ?

Thanks

catmum09

Hello,
Not sure if this is helpful.

1. The salary calculation is based on the gross figure, so if she earns £1000 and sacrifices £200, her full salary would be £800. If you can afford to pause the sacrifice for the 8 week period, it will make a difference in the end. 

2. If she is working bank shifts for the same NHS trust, it will count toward the salary calculation.  

My advice would be to maximise earnings during the qualifying period.
Also, this pregnancy timeline from the RCN may be helpful  https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/royal-college-of-nursing/documents/rcn-direct-factsheet-documents/preg-and-maternity-timeline-aug-2021.pdf?la=en&hash=C955C5079F9B60666C13BE520E9A469C

chrisbur

Gantry77 said:

1. Should we pull out of Salary sacrifice 15th weeks before due date (which would increase her salary on her monthly statement).
   
   
   

You would need to do this earlier than 15th week.  The average is based on the earnings in 8 weeks before that.
For monthly paid it would be the last payday before the end of the qualifying week and the one before that..
Cannot say if that is allowed or what notice would need to be given; you need to check with payroll about that.