Maternity leave Post Reply

[cocoloco]

I wondered if anyone could help me with my maternity leave entitlement - I've asked the government helpline and they were so unbelievably unhelpful. I don't know who could help - it seems to be such a grey area.

I have been working four days a week as a self-employed contractor for four days a week since Oct 1 2014. I go on maternity leave at the beginning of September does anyone know if I am entitled to any maternity leave?

Am I entitled to statutory maternity leave and if so would that be paid by the company that I am contracted to.

I do not have a written contract and am paid monthly - any advice would be much appreciated as so far it seems I'm not entitled to anything...

Thanks so much !!

[fairyviv]

Hi,
I am also a contractor and I hate to tell you, but I don't think we are entitled to much at all.

especially with you being self-employed.

the most you will probably get is Maternity Allowance - arranged through Job Center.
go here - https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/overview
there are step by step questionnaire that ask about your situation and can give you an indication of how much you could get.

good luck - I am due at the end of Jan, so will be facing this soon myself!

[cocoloco]

Thank you for that @fairyviv - I shall take a look!

[Jellie75]

Hi there

Fairyviv is correct - you will get Maternity Allowance paid out for 39wks, and you can work 10 'Keeping in touch' days during this time. You can apply online any time from 27wks pregnant (I think) and choose your start date - better to do it before baby is born.

All the best

X

[LidoLady]

As the other posts said, not a lot, but better than nothing. Having been self employed for years I'd also like to point up that it's sensible to keep paying your National Insurance as this will also give you some sick pay if you are unable to work, plus the full state pension when you retire. Class 2 Voluntary Contributions are only a very small amount (£2.80 a week) and if you have missed some payments through job breaks or whatever you can often catch up by paying a lump sum. It's easy to be cynical about state benefits but the full state pension can make a big difference to your living standards if, like many women, you haven't got much/any other pension arrangements.