maternity

[dizydosydoll]

My friend is pregnant and is due in May, she has aksed me to look at her rights for maternity as it is increasing in April 07, will she be entitled to it if the baby is born in MAY or will she be on the old system because she was pregnant before April. Also has paternity increased as well.

TIA
:-)

[Octavius]

The new maternity laws apply if the baby is due on or after 1 April 2007.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/emplo yment/maternity_leave_if_your_baby_is_due_on_o r_after_1_april_2007.htm


Paternity law is due to change but hasn�t yet

http://www.eoc-law.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=29 82

[dizydosydoll]

Thanks for that Octavius, as it as increased now to 39 weeks does that mean 6 weeks at 90% 33 weeks at �108.25? Its very confusing, even her employers dont know!

[Octavius]

SMP is paid for a continuous period of up to 39 weeks.

First 6 weeks 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper limit.

Remaining 33 weeks Standard rate or a rate equal to 90% of your average weekly earnings. You will get whichever rate is lower.

The standard rate is �108.85

[dizydosydoll]

thanks :-)

[Goodsoulette]

The midwife will have given her a book that covers her for each week of her pregnancy, telling her what to do and when. At the back of this book is the most up to date materity allowance/ SMP information. Also if she is on a lowish income she may be entitled to a sure start maternity grant. Comes in handy even if just to buy the buggy and a cot.

[Octavius]

Also don't forget that her holiday entitlement accrues during the matenity period - Ordinary & Additional (OML/AML) - as though she was a full time employee. So effectively she will still get 20 days holiday leave in the year, even though she is on maternity leave (depending when they start, and how many she has already taken in that period etc.).