My friend is pregnant and is due in May, she has aksed me to look at her rights for maternity as it is increasing in April 07, will she be entitled to it if the baby is born in MAY or will she be on the old system because she was pregnant before April. Also has paternity increased as well.
Thanks for that Octavius, as it as increased now to 39 weeks does that mean 6 weeks at 90% 33 weeks at �108.25? Its very confusing, even her employers dont know!
The midwife will have given her a book that covers her for each week of her pregnancy, telling her what to do and when. At the back of this book is the most up to date materity allowance/ SMP information. Also if she is on a lowish income she may be entitled to a sure start maternity grant. Comes in handy even if just to buy the buggy and a cot.
Also don't forget that her holiday entitlement accrues during the matenity period - Ordinary & Additional (OML/AML) - as though she was a full time employee. So effectively she will still get 20 days holiday leave in the year, even though she is on maternity leave (depending when they start, and how many she has already taken in that period etc.).