Maternity pay working for a small company

[EmEd1984]

I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere i hope someone can help!

I have worked for my employer for over 2 years now and am wanting to start a family soon. does my employer legally have to offer me maternity pay or are their ways of them getting round it? it's only a small company and it seems if theres a way out of anyone getting extra (or even whats due) they'll find it!

any help much appreciated - as you can understand its not the sort of thing you can go and ask your boss!

Thanks loooads

EmEd

[buildersmate]

Irrespective of whether your employer has its own scheme, you are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay provided you meet certain criteria. This is that you have worked for at least 6 months continuously and you earn an average of at least �87 pw..
If you do not qualify for that, you may still qualify for Maternity Allowance - a smaller amount for which the earnings criteria is less.
No doubt the link provided above will give you the rest of the details of how much and how to claim.

[EmEd1984]

thanks guy - i think i understand a bit better now! from what i gather, my employer pays maternity, and can claim most of it back from the government. my concern was that i'd be told they didn't have to pay me anything and i'd not know for sure either way.

thanks again - EmEd

[buildersmate]

Yes, that's right - your employer gets most of the money back through the combined NI/PAYE payment system - the debits and credits for all their employees which results in them paying a large sum each month to HMRC for NI and PAYE tax.

[spaced]

You will be paid a certain wage for 6 weeks during your maternity leave(possibly 90% of your wage) thereafter you will be paid the SSP of about �430 per month and that's it.

Therefore whilst you are out of work on Maternirty leave you will get paid around �430 per month. On top of this you can apply for tax credit and allowances which will help you pay for baby stuff etc

As a father to a 3 mth baby....take it from me...start saving!!!!! A drop in wages hit some people used to a good life hard!