Sick pay affects SMP?
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@N 💞 so is your qualifying period just the 15th week before you’re due date? Or is it that whole 8 weeks they look at for your pay? Seems so unfair, feel like I’m in between a rock and hard place
It’s the whole 8 weeks. You need to earn an average of £123 a week throughout that time frame so some weeks could be less as long as some are more
if you went off during your qualifying week - the 15th week from your due date, at any point within 8 weeks then it’ll effect your SMP if your pay drops below the threshold/what you usually earn a week.
It is totally unfair. You could have been a perfect employee for decades and then have a pregnancy condition and therefore get no maternity pay! I was lucky as my employer decided to top up my sick pay (had severe HG and was unable to work for 6 months). But I know many HG mums don’t qualify for SMP. You can apply for Maternity Allowance if you don’t qualify.
I had HG up until 22 weeks, was signed off for a whole month. I’m now not eligible for SMP, I’ve had to apply for maternity allowance! x
@Chloe what’s the difference between SMP and maternity allowance? I’m 22 weeks and under a lot of stress and it’s affecting me physically and mentally, my pregnancy hasn’t been easy anyways. My midwife has recommended reducing hours at work but work doesn’t seem to be keen. My only other option is to go off sick for a while but I’m so worried about pay! It seems so unfair to literally have to decide between your health and whether you get enough money after baby is here!
If you receive the full amount of maternity allowance the only difference is the first 6 weeks not being at 90%. You’re qualifying period ends at around week 25/26 I think, do you think you could hold on at work for a few more weeks and then take some time off?
@N 💞 oh okay, that’s not so bad then! Oh really! Yeah I have a week booked off in a week anyways and I’ll be 25 weeks when returning back to work so hopefully I’ll be alright. Just madness trying to get around all of this, especially when feeling rough anyways
What you read is correct. If you’re off sick in your qualifying period then yes it could affect your maternity pay