A common question we hear from both employees and employers is whether employers have to pay for maternity leave for their employees. Parental discrimination in the UK is sadly still a huge issue in this day and age, but it’s one our team will be happy to discuss in further detail with you. If you are after HR advice in Sheffield, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. Keep reading as we discuss the options you have for maternity pay, including enhanced shared maternity pay.

Maternity Pay in the UK

Enhanced maternity pay offers many benefits for employees, but it can also be an attractive offering for companies to provide for their employees. In the UK, the statutory maternity pay is for up to 39 weeks, which is usually the first part of your maternity leave. During this time, the employer should pay the employee in the same way and at the same time that you used to receive your normal wages. As far as the amount of maternity pay you should receive, this should offer a 90% average of your weekly earnings for the first six weeks, and then this will change to either the standard rate or this percentage for the remaining 33 weeks. This is calculated by using the lower of the two figures, depending on how much you are earning.

As far as your eligibility for maternity pay, you’ll need to be employed for a minimum of 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week prior to giving birth. There are minimum weekly earnings to keep in mind as well, so if you just work part-time or on a temporary contract, you may not qualify. On top of that, you need to provide confirmation of your pregnancy and ensure you offer your employer this notice 15 weeks before the start of the week when your baby is due.

Agency workers, home workers, entertainers, and certain other services may not qualify for any type of maternity pay. Make sure you fully research your options beforehand, to avoid financial difficulties during your pregnancy and birth. We offer HR support services in Sheffield which can help to answer any questions about HR advice in Sheffield you may need.

Enhanced Maternity Pay

In order to keep staff employed within businesses, many companies are now opting to offer enhanced maternity pay. Enhanced share maternity pay is also another popular option now, and it can really help to attract talent to companies. This may be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to find out what the options are within your organization when you start working there. Shared parental pay can help to reduce some pressure on new parents, but the setup will vary depending on your company and their HR policies.

Some employers also opt to give employees a bonus on top of their parental leave pay when they return to work once again. You can take up to 52 weeks off for maternity leave, but your company may offer more flexible options for shared parental pay and leave. At minimum, you’ll need to take two weeks off after your birth or up to four weeks off if you work in a factory. Remember, this is such a precious time in your life to spend with your little one, so we highly encourage you to look at your options for shared parental leave pay to ensure you are protecting your health and wellbeing.

The statutory maternity leave in the UK includes 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave. This is then followed by the same amount of additional maternity leave. You can choose to share up to 50 weeks of this between you and your partner, and there are options to share your parental pay for up to 37 weeks as well. Once again, this is something you’ll need to discuss with your employer, but our team will be happy to share the best options and our advice for dealing with this situation. We know that every situation is unique when it comes to maternity leave, so we encourage you to think carefully about what is right for you and your family.

While many parents are concerned about their careers when it comes to maternity leave, you’ll find that many companies today offer more flexible and supportive options to help you during this exciting time in your life. Our team will be on hand at any time to offer you HR advice regarding maternity leave. We’ll ensure that you understand the options on offer to you and provide you with the best solution for your current concerns. Contact us today to discuss any questions you have on the topic of maternity leave, and we’ll be happy to answer them for you and assist you during this huge life change.