Use this quick and simple calculator to work out your maternity leave entitlement as an NHS employee.
If you request to average out your Occupational Maternity Pay you will receive your payments spread out evenly over the maximum of the 52 weeks leave. Statutory Pay cannot be spread out and will begin 8 weeks after your leave starts.
Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP) is the pay you receive that is provided by your employer (the NHS) during maternity leave. To be sure you qualify for OMP, you should check your employment contract or contact your HR department. This calculator is based on the most common plan provided to NHS employees: 8 weeks full pay and 18 weeks half pay.
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is available to most employees as long as they are earning over £123 per week. To check you are qualified please visit https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility
From Sunday 7 April 2024, Statutory Maternity Pay increases from £172.48 to £184.03 per week.
Maternity leave usually starts when the baby is born or when triggered by sickness (see Sickness Trigger Date) but it can be whenever you choose as early as 11 weeks before the baby's expected due date.
In order to qualify for maternity pay you must notify your employer 15 weeks before your expected due date. This should be done in writing and you may be asked for a MAT B1 certificate.
If you become too sick to work due to a pregnancy related illness in the 4 weeks leading up to you due date, your maternity leave will start automatically.
To be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay you must have been employed for at least 26 weeks by the time you are 15 weeks before the due date (i.e. 41 weeks of employment before the due date). To qualify for Occupational Maternity Pay with the NHS, it is usually 12 months of service, but you should check your contract of employment.
This calculator is based on information made publicly available by the UK government and the NHS. It is meant as guidance only. For more information on Maternity Pay visit https://www.gov.uk/employers-maternity-pay-leave or contact your employer.