[JJdomestics]

Hi

We thought all our staffing problems were over yesterday as we took on a new girl. She is friendly and polite and she seemed like our dream come true, but then, today we had a message from her saying that she had been to the doctors and she is pregnant. She would be starting work in the morning and then it would be a three month trial period. Any thoughts on what we should do?

[suzieq]

Hi there.i would just carry on with her and see how she does she might be great at the job,just because shes pregnant does not mean she cant work.You never know she might just be your dream come true FOR NOW.

[JJdomestics]

Hi

Thaks for your reply, she does seem the perfect person. I think she will be fine i was just checking to see if anyone warned me away before she starts work. I think we can sort something out where we gove her as much help as possible and hopefully she will be fine.

[suzieq]

good on you.

[Fox]

Hi

You can not retract the job offer to the pregnant lady now that you know she is pregnant, she could take you to a tribunal even though she is not employed yet (I know crazy isn't it!).  Hopefully you can keep her under the NI level then she will have difficulty claiming allowances from you directly for leave etc, if that is what you are worried about. 

Depending on your payroll expenses if she does claim allowances you should be able to claim most of it back, my advice would be to seek advice from fsb or acas about her rights, my knowledge on maternity benefits are minimal I'm afraid!  Sounds to me like she already knew she was pregnant but just didn't mention it!  Doesn't bode well really, as after all sounds like you would have employed her anyway.

Fox

[JJdomestics]

I don't think she did know she does seem to be quite honest. It showed up in a blood test that she had done last week at the GPs and they contacted her today. Maybe I'm just being a bit trusting but she does seem to be ok

[blacksheep]

hi there, a while ago i looked up stuff because i had a staff member in the same boat i think the site was www.tiger.gov or ww.tiger.gov.uk not sure but worth a look regards blacksheep

[AJCleaningServices]

According to The Business Link's info to qualify for the maternity pay an employee must has worked continuously for you for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth …

I do not understand: does JJdomestic’s new girl qualify for the maternity pay, if she just started working?

The Business Link also says the following:
“Employers can recover 92 per cent of payments but if your total National Insurance payments are less than £45,000 per year you can recover 104.5 per cent to cover payments and other costs. You can recover SMP by deducting it from payments you make to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for PAYE and National Insurance. You can also get funding in advance for payments of SMP from HMRC.”

I do not understand: why would employers worry about maternity pay if payments are recoverable?

Could somebody comment on these?

Thanks,
Arthur

[AJCleaningServices]

 Another useful link where Inland Revenue gives an opportunity to work out any SMP you have to pay your employee and how much of the cost you can recover.