NHS and teachers’ occupational maternity pay

NHS Agenda for Change

If you have 12 months’ continuous service with one or more NHS employers at the beginning of the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth, and you intend to return to NHS work, Section 15 of the handbook (summarised by the RCN) provides:

• 8 weeks at full pay, less any SMP or Maternity Allowance
• 18 weeks at half pay plus SMP or Maternity Allowance, not exceeding full pay
• 13 weeks of SMP or Maternity Allowance only
• 13 weeks unpaid

You can sometimes agree with your employer to spread the occupational pay differently. This calculator uses the standard pattern above.

Teachers — Burgundy Book (England and Wales)

The NEU guide to the Burgundy Book maternity scheme describes, for teachers who also meet the one-year service test at the beginning of the 11th week before the EWC:

• 4 weeks at full pay, inclusive of SMP
• 2 weeks at 90% of pay, inclusive of SMP
• 12 weeks at half pay plus SMP, not exceeding full pay
• 21 weeks of SMP

Occupational pay is usually subject to returning to work for 13 weeks. If you do not, the employer can reclaim the 12 weeks of half pay, but not the first six weeks or the SMP. Scottish teachers are not covered by the Burgundy Book; this tool does not estimate SNCT maternity pay.