What is Statutory Maternity Pay? What You Need To Know

Many people know what statutory maternity pay is, but what they don’t know is what it does and what you need to do to get it. This article will tell you everything you need to know about Statutory Maternity Pay so that you can go ahead with your pregnancy knowing the steps that must be taken.

 

What is Statutory Maternity Pay

What is Statutory Maternity Pay?

As the name suggests, statutory maternity pay is what you get when your employer does not offer any sort of payment for maternity leave.

How much you receive depends on how long you have been working for that company and what number of hours a week you work. You may be entitled to up to 39 weeks which means about £140 a week over this period (this varies from year to year).

It’s important that although some employers will automatically give their employees Statutory Maternity Pay as soon as they tell them about the pregnancy, others won’t unless someone specifically requests it or asks why they aren’t being paid by their salary like usual.

 

Do you get paid for maternity leave?

You will receive no compensation during your pregnancy, though this time is considered to be the “waiting period” before receiving benefits.

 

What are my rights to flexible working?

You have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements which could include changing hours or location but these requests mustn’t adversely affect business activity. If an employer refuses a request they will need to have sound grounds as outlined in law so be sure to keep records of emails, phone calls and meetings between yourself and managers if needed later down the line.

 

Can I take more than 12 weeks off work after having a baby?

Yes! Mothers are given twelve weeks of unpaid leave when they have their first child at any point in time within one year following childbirth/adoption.

These four months can be split between two people if necessary such as going back and forth from work week-by-week or month-by-month until they reach a total of twelve weeks over one year following childbirth/adoption.

This is called ‘Keeping in Touch Days’ which means that mothers must stay in contact with their employer during the waiting period. Usually, this means that mothers are required to call or email their boss once a week, but it varies by company policy.

 

Can I apply for Cerb after maternity leave?

Yes, you can. You will be able to start working on your application once the waiting period is over and you’ve returned to work. Mothers must keep in touch with their employer during this time which usually means they contact them at least once a week but it varies by company policy.

What benefits am I entitled to if I don’t return to work after maternity leave?

You can apply for paid leave from your employer under the FMLA if you aren’t able to return after maternity leave. The US Department of Labor provides a list of state-by-state benefits that also include medical coverage and family care expenses as well as time off work, which is normally around 12 weeks.

 

Can I extend my maternity leave?

You can choose to extend your maternity leave in some states, such as California and New York. You must ask about this when taking a job offer if it’s not already mentioned in the contract or benefits package because extending your time away from work could impact any promotions or career growth opportunities.

 

Can you go on the sick straight after maternity leave?

No, you cannot go on the sick straight after maternity leave. You must first use all of your annual and/or company sick days before taking time off for any reason during your maternity leave.

 

Can I still work from home while on maternity?

Many employers now allow employees who are new mothers reduced duties, or to work from home for a short period. If you’re offered this as an option, discuss with your manager how long the arrangement would be in place and whether it could lead to flexible working at a later date.

 

How long does maternity leave last?

Maternity leave is 52 weeks but this can vary depending on how much you earn and your employment contract with your employer so it’s best to check with them first.

Some companies offer more than 52 weeks of paid maternity leave, if they do then you should take up these benefits as well where possible because not only will the extra money come in useful – working for such a company could increase your chances of promotion too!

You might find further information about what length of time other companies provide here: Job Forums. However, if an employee has agreed to reduced hours or flexible working arrangements during their pregnancy (such as part-time work), it may be possible for them to return to the same hours or arrangements after maternity leave.

 

What can I do if my employer isn’t engaging?

All companies with over 150 employees are required by law to keep records of requests relating to maternity matters and refer these cases to their HR department (or relevant person) who should then follow up on all such requests within three months; Failure to comply is against the law under section 76 of SMP Regulations 1999.

This means that employers must deal with each request separately even where they have turned down similar previous applications but there may still be room for negotiation depending on the circumstances.

 

What happens if I don’t return to work after maternity leave NHS?

In this case, you may be financially penalized or your employment contract will simply terminate. However, it is important that the employer provides a clear and fair policy on these issues which employees can rely upon in such circumstances.

It would also make sense for employers to have flexible working arrangements available as an alternative instead of losing valuable members of staff.

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