Staff Handbook

If you do not wish to return to work after your maternity leave, you should give notice of resignation of at least the minimum notice period set out under the

section “Notice Periods”, below. Holiday and maternity leave

Your entitlement to holiday continues as normal during maternity leave. It is important, therefore, that you plan when you will take your holiday before you start your maternity leave. It is normally in your best interests to take your holiday entitlement for the current holiday year before you start maternity leave and you should make your request for holiday through your line manager in the normal way. In most cases it can normally be arranged so that your holiday immediately precedes your maternity leave so that you do not need to return to work in between. Statutory Maternity Pay In order to be eligible to receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you must meet the following conditions: • Have been employed by the Company without a break for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth. Part weeks count as full weeks. • Earn a weekly average of at least the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions (NI). This is the amount you have to earn before you start paying NI and is set by the Government. • Have given written notification of your pregnancy and a copy of the MATB1 form as outlined above under “Maternity Leave” SMP is payable for up to 39 weeks. For the first six weeks of maternity leave SMP is payable at the earnings related rate (equivalent to 90% of earnings) and for the remaining 33 weeks at the standard rate as set by the Government. Keeping in Touch The Company reserves the right to make reasonable contact with you whilst you are absent on maternity leave, for example, to notify you of relevant training events or to consult with you regarding changes happening at work. You are not obliged to undertake any work during your maternity leave, but you can agree to undertake up to 10 days work or training during your absence for the purposes of “keeping in touch”. There is no obligation on the Company to offer such opportunities. The arrangements for any agreed “keeping in touch” days, including what will be done and any payment must be agreed in advance (any SMP you receive will be offset against the rate agreed).

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