When you take time off to start a family, we may be able to pay you maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental pay. Please apply using the procedures below.
Maternity pay
To claim statutory maternity pay (SMP), you must firstly tell us that you’re expecting a baby at least 15 weeks before your due date. We’ll need to ask for proof of your pregnancy, so please post us the MATB1 certificate that your doctor or midwife will give to you. You’ll usually get it around 20 weeks before your due date. When you send it to us, mark it for the attention of the payroll team.
Once we receive it, we’ll assess your claim against the rules set by the government and contact you to confirm whether or not we’re able to pay you maternity pay. If we are, we’ll pay you SMP in accordance with current legislation and at the current rate.
Paternity pay
To claim statutory paternity pay (SPP), send us a form SC3 at least 15 weeks before the baby is expected. Once we receive it, we’ll assess your claim against the rules set by the government and contact you to confirm if we’re able to pay your paternity pay. If we are, we’ll pay you SPP in accordance with current legislation and at the current rate.
Adoption pay
To claim adoption pay (SAP), firstly you must give us at least 28 days’ notice that you’re planning to stop work to adopt a child or have a baby with a surrogate. We’ll need to ask for proof of your adoption. This proof must show:
- your name and address and that of the agency
- the match date, e.g. the matching certificate
- the date of placement, e.g. a letter from the agency
- the relevant UK authority’s ‘official notification’ confirming you’re allowed to adopt (overseas adoptions only)
- the date the child arrived in the UK – e.g. plane ticket (overseas adoptions only)
Once we receive it, we’ll assess your claim against the rules set by the government and contact you to confirm if we’re able to pay your adoption pay. If we are, we’ll pay you SAP in accordance with current legislation and at the current rate.
Shared parental pay
To claim shared parental pay (ShPP), you must give us notice in writing at least eight weeks before you want your pay to start. To do so, please complete the relevant ‘Shared parental leave form’ and send it to us.
Once we receive this, we’ll assess your claim against the rules set by the government and contact you to confirm whether we’re able to pay your shared parental pay. If we are, we’ll pay it to you in accordance with current legislation and at the current rate.
If you want to make any changes to the dates of your ShPP, you must give us at least eight weeks’ notice.