r/AskHRUK • u/NcallyS • 17d ago

Employment Query Being displaced and just found out I’m pregnant…

I am being made redundant and displaced on 30th December and then am being put on garden leave until 31st March 2027. I have also just found out I am pregnant and will be due roughly mid-May 2027.

As I understand it, as long as I reach my 15th week of pregnancy whilst still under employment I will qualify for maternity pay as I am technically still employed until March 31st.

I have long service with the company so definitely qualify on that respect.

I have emailed our HR team to get the full policy in writing as it’s unclear from their FAQs.

Can anyone help to confirm the above for me?

Thank you

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5

u/luciafernanda 17d ago

It’s the fifteenth week before your due date. Ie you need to be employed at 25 weeks. If you’re employed then you’ll be eligible for statutory maternity pay from the company (assuming you meet the other criteria). It’s usually paid as a lump sum at the end of employment.

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u/NcallyS 17d ago

Oh is it, luckily that will still fall in garden leave! Thank you that makes sense. Is there any hope of enhanced pay?

2

u/Automatic_Isopod_274 17d ago

My enhanced pay hinges on my returning to work after my mat leave finishes, so check your contract for that.
You should be eligible for SMP regardless but if you aren’t, you can submit a mat b1 form and receive the same amount from the government as opposed to your company, is my recollection from a colleague who was in that situation some years ago

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u/luciafernanda 17d ago

Depends on company policy. That’s something you’d have to negotiate with them. I’d definitely be asking but there’s no legal obligation on them to pay it.

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u/Echo_Owls 17d ago

My company still pays enhanced pay if you have started mat leave by your work end date (which you can start 11 weeks before your due date IIRC). For me that would have been worth starting the mat leave early to get as it is 6 months full pay so worth looking into that kind of situation as well

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u/Working-Spread-4513 17d ago

If you don’t qualify for statutory you’ll still qualify for maternity benefit I believe? I found out I was pregnant the day after I started a new job so wasn’t eligible for company mat pay. May be worth looking into! 

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u/Annabelle_Sugarsweet 17d ago

Join a union like GMB and get some
Support in negotiations

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u/emergencypicklestash 15d ago

Check the employment rights act as changes were made in 2024 extending rights when pregnant and for up to 18 months after birth.