I Am Pregnant, And I Know What I Am Entitled To!

By Karen Thomson

Last year The Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP) conducted a survey which showed that a staggering 80% of women on low incomes were not aware that the regulations changed again from the 1st April 2007. This news was obviously worrying, and our concern was how many employers did not know the rules were changing, or indeed know now!

Many large employers have processes in place to keep up to date with legislation, and would normally employ a payroll professional who ensure they are up to date. Do you work...

...for a small employer that does not have time to scan the many government websites and articles to keep abreast of legislation?

The legislation surrounding maternity leave and pay is complex, and there is an awful lot of it, this is in part due to the number of government departments that are responsible both for the policy and employer compliance. This article aims to provide you with a short guide to some of it. Whether you work for a small or large employer the following tips will assist you in ensuring you really do know what your entitlements are.

Let us look now at some of these entitlements:

• For all babies born on or after 1st April 2007, you will be entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave regardless of your length of service.

• You will also be entitled to 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). In order to receive SMP you must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before your baby is due (this would mean you would be around 25 weeks pregnant). You must also satisfy an earnings test to qualify... continued on page two >

 

 

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