Statutory rights to pay during leave

Statutory Maternity Pay

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), a woman must:

• have worked for the employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due;

• in the eight weeks (or two months if monthly paid) preceding the 15th week, to have had average earnings of at least £111 a week (2014-15);

• by the 15th week before the baby is due, to have given the employer medical evidence of the pregnancy and told them when she intends to stop work and start claiming SMP; and

• to have stopped working.