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If my hours are reduced before maternity leave, will it impact my maternity pay?

Whether the reduction in hours will impact your maternity pay depends on what stage you are in of your pregnancy when the change in hours happens.

Your employer should calculate statutory maternity pay based on the average of the eight weeks pay at the 15th week before your baby is due.  

The 15th week before your baby is due is known as the qualifying period and is crucial in relation to your qualification for, and calculation of, statutory maternity pay.

When your maternity leave starts, your employer would need to go back to that 15th week before your baby is due and work back another 8 weeks for the purposes of calculating the average pay.

If you are paid monthly, then it would be the average of the last two pay slips. If you are paid weekly, then it is the average over the last eight pay slips.

So, if your hours are reduced in the last 3 months of your pregnancy then the change in hours and pay should not impact on the amount of statutory maternity pay you receive.

If you have any questions about maternity leave or pay then please do get in touch and we would be happy to help – 01983 897003 or alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

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The information contained in this blog post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time it is written. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances.

The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.


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