Maternity Pay (SMP)

You will need to have worked with us on a continuous basis for at least 26 weeks and get a MatB1 form from your doctor or midwife. Send this to us at least 15 weeks before your due date and our accounts team will calculate what you will be entitled to.

SMP is payable for 39 weeks. For the first six weeks, SMP will be paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings. For the remaining 33 weeks, SMP will be paid at the standard rate which is prescribed by regulations and is adjusted from time to time. The Company will inform you of the applicable rate. If your average weekly earnings fall below the standard rate, SMP will be paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings throughout.

SMP will be paid subject to deductions for tax and National Insurance contributions in the normal way.

In order to be eligible for maternity leave and SMP, you are required to notify your line manager in writing by or during the 15th week before the expected week of your child’s birth. You must inform your Line Manager of the following:

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You are pregnant

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The week in which your child is due

·        
The date you intended to start your maternity
leave

·        
The date from which you will be claiming SMP

You may change the date you start your maternity leave providing you give at least 28 days’ notice in writing of either the new start date or the original start date (whichever is earliest).

When you are due to return to work, please let us know.

You are entitled to work 10 days during the maternity period, but PLEASE let us know if you are participating in KIT days or doing some days back at work.

Maternity Allowance

If an employee does not qualify for statutory or contractual maternity pay, they may be entitled to Maternity Allowance. This is paid by theJobcentre Plus for up to 39 weeks. The rate is dependent on recent National Insurance contributions.

Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance

Statutory Paternity Leave/Pay

Statutory Paternity Leave is a maximum of two weeks’ leave, following the birth of a child, taken in order to support the mother or care for the new child. It can be only be taken as a single consecutive weeks. It cannot be taken as odd days or as two separate weeks.

To qualify you must have worked for the Company for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected birth week.

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Statutory Paternity Leave must be taken within 56 days of the birth. If the baby is born earlier than expected, it must be taken within 56 days from the date the baby was due.

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Statutory Paternity Pay is paid at a fixed rate per week (determined in legislation) or 90% of average earnings if that is less. It is paid less tax and National Insurance contributions in the normal way.

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During Statutory Paternity Leave, you are entitled to all of your normal contractual terms and conditions as if you were not absent, apart from basic wages and salary.

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You have the right to return to exactly the same job, on the same terms and conditions after Statutory Paternity Leave.

Paternity leave and pay are also available for the adoption of a child.