Maternity pay by employers!!!!!

[newbump]

Hi,

Just need to have a good rant really, i have been working for my company for almost 7 years and am currently a Company Director, as I am sure you are all aware entitlement on maternity pay is as follows:

90% of wages for the first 6 weeks then £106 per week for the next 20 weeks, during which time your employer can make up your wages or add to it.

Well I have just been informed today that they are going to pay me full wages for the first 8 weeks, then i can either come back to work full time or I will only get the £106 from the government! Bearing in mind my company are not employing anyone to take my place when i am off so extra money will be paid out.

Does anyone know if you can claim any other benefits on top of the £106 a week for living costs, or am I going to be better leaving work and signing on full time!!! ???

Any advice would be much appreicated, thanks all

Natalie x

 

I'm not sure hun as I'll be getting maternity allowance (not SMP) but maybe the jobcentre could help you? they exlained everything i could get.

 

[Rosieroo]

I think if you sign on you don't receive any benefits during the time you get MA

Maternity allowance is a pittance. It should be 90% of wages for 26 weeks!

 

Government maternity allowance is as far as I know or there abouts anyway with my wages previously - just Statutory Maternity Pay seems to take the piss really!

 

[newbump]

Was going to try and look on the internet for information, thank you for your replys, I am just so annoyed that it seems having a baby is a punishment not the joy it is meant to be! I just dont know what to do, it has taken me years to get the caerer i wanted and now seems like i may have to give it up!

 

[littlebump]

Hi Newbump

I agree with you - SMP is a pittance . I'm not sure how benefits work, but I just assumed if you left work, then you'd have to claim jobseeker's allowance - in which case you have to actively be seeking employment - no good if you are on maternity leave!!

I hate to say it but you're actually luckier than most in that you're getting full pay not 90% for 8 weeks not 6 - I don't get any top up at all and don't know anyone else who has had better than statutory.

Let us know what you find out about benefits though!

LBxx

 

[newbump]

Hi Littlebump

Really? as far as I knew I thought a lot of women got a top from their employer especially when they have been there a long time, my main problem is that the SMP doesnt even cover my bills a month let alone anything for the baby, im just really worried now that im not gonna be able to cope and give my baby everthing he/she deserves

Natalie x

 

[Rosieroo]

Newbump

I don't think that many people do get a top up, some are just really lucky to be in with good employers

 

[newbump]

Oh maybe im over reacting a bit, but i really am scared as i dont know what to do, there is no way i can afford to live on £106 per week, my direct debits a month alone come to just under £600!!! Oh god i really dont know what to do!!!

 

[Rosieroo]

Before I ended up in this situation (forced out of my job) I agonised over how DH and I were supposed to live when the baby was here. His wages then covered the mortgage and our DD's, but even with budgeting just £35 a week for food and £20 a week for petrol we weren't going to have enough coming in to live off of. He's just got a payrise which will give him an extra £280 a month so we can cover our bills and our food/petrol, but there wont be much left over if I don't work.

We certainly wont have the lifestyle I envisaged being able to have with a child and being able to provide material things that I didn't have as a youngster, and opportunities for them to have hobbies (horseriding, dancing, sports) if I don't work, we'll be really scraping by. But then it's weighing up providing those things, with being at home with them. It's horrible!!

 

[Urchin]

I've been at my current job for a year and a half, I get full pay for 6 weeks then standard £100 (or has it gone up to £106) per week for the rest of the 6 months.

Luckily I am only really part time, as I have a 4 year old to look after too, so I won't be that much out of pocket, but I can see why it would be a bit of a shock to lose so much of your pay packet.

You will also hopefully get working families tax creditit, plus you'll get child benefit. I know it's not that much but every little helps!

 

[futuremum]

Hi!

I am luckier in the way that teachers get 100% the first 4 weeks, 2 weeks at 90% then SMP plus 50 % of salary for 12 weeks and normal SMP for 8 weeks. Being the only one working, even my nice maternity allowance does not cover my rent and bills. I might have to sell the car in order to cover credit card and save a £100 a month to live better. My rent plus council tax plus bill comes to £1300 at least then you add up food, fags for my man and all the rest and it does come up quickly. On a normal salary i am already struggling but on maternity leave i have not got a clue how i am going to manage!!!! I will start work after 4 months because £106 per week will not cover at all. hoping I will get enough child tax credit having to support a boyfriend who does not work and a baby. So I do not know how you manage just with £106 a week, really.
I was hoping findind a cheaper property to live in but they are very overpriced for what you can get and that means giving another month of deposit, etc.... buying furnitures so it is a lot of worry for me. I will try to look for another job maybe like delivering papers just to give extra cash, will see if you can do that during maternity leave though.

 

[littlebump]

Hi Futuremum

What age group do you teach?

My sister is a primary school teacher & I think teachers get a raw deal in so many ways, I think it's good that you are looked after on things like maternity leave.

I am lucky in that I sit at a desk most of the day, so am hoping to work up to around 2 weeks before my EDD, but I imagine you must be on your feet all day. How close to your due date will you be able to work?

 

[futuremum]

Hi!!

I teach French in a secondary school, so from the age of 11 till 18, which can be very fun!!!! Well, I do spend a lot of time standing up but when it was hot , I was not very good because i was setting the kids some written work so I could sit down a bit, especially in the afternoon. You need to work at least 13 weeks after the end of maternity leave in order to get the 50 % pay on top of the SMP. I am due to the 21st of December and am kind of hoping I could stay until the 14th of December. Although I have seen the classes I will get and might leave early. lol. I have been told to give the latest date and if I leave earlier, they will employ a supply.