Before Maternity Leave
Please use this toolkit in conjunction with the University’s Maternity Policy which provides greater detail and information.
Your local HR Advisor will also offer individual advice and guidance.
Maternity Policy
All the information you need about leave and pay can be found in the University’s maternity policy.
All pregnant employees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave regardless of length of service or hours worked.
Guidance for Employees
Guidance for employees is available at the following link:
Guidance for Managers
Guidance for managers is available at the following link:
Eligibility for University of Edinburgh Maternity Pay (UEMP)
You are entitled to UEMP provided that you:
- Are an employee of the University at your due date
- Return to work for a minimum of three months after the end of maternity leave
There are 3 University payment options:
| Option 1 | Weeks 1 - 18 | Full Pay (inclusive of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), where applicable) |
| Weeks 19 - 39 | SMP only (where applicable) | |
| Weeks 40 – 52 | Unpaid | |
| Option 2 | Weeks 1 - 9 | Full Pay (inclusive of SMP, where applicable) |
| Weeks 10 - 27 | Half Pay, plus SMP where applicable (capped at normal full pay) | |
| Weeks 28 - 39 | SMP only (where applicable) | |
| Weeks 40 -52 | Unpaid | |
| Option 3 | Weeks 1 – 6 | SMP - 90% of your average weekly earnings (where applicable) |
| Weeks 7 - 39 | SMP – the lower of either the standard rate of SMP set by the Government, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (where applicable). | |
| Weeks 40 – 52 | Unpaid |
You must inform your manager of your plans and inform your HR Team of your chosen payment option at least 15 weeks prior to your due date by submitting your maternity dates in People and Money.
A maternity pay calculator is available in People and Money to give you an estimate of the pay you may receive under each option. Please note, this does not take into account tax and pension implications.
Eligibility for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
If you have 26 weeks service with the University at the notification week (i.e. 15 weeks before expected due date/25 weeks pregnant) and have received average earnings over that period which are above the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions you will also be entitled to receive SMP.
SMP is payable for 39 weeks at the following rates:
| Weeks 1-6 | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Weeks 7–39 | either 90% of average weekly earnings or standard rate SMP whichever is lower. |
The current standard rate for SMP can be found here.
If you are not entitled to SMP you may still be entitled to Maternity Allowance (MA). Please check the Government website for further information at:
Documentation
When you submit your Maternity Leave information into People and Money you must attach your MAT-B1 certificate. You will receive this from your GP/midwife, normally around 20 weeks.
Preparing and Planning for Leave
A work planning template is available to support you and your manager in determining how best to accommodate continuing work needs during your maternity absence and to facilitate and support your effective return to work.
Discuss and agree with your manager how you want to be kept in touch with departmental news and/or changes while you are on leave.
Shared Parental Leave
You may be entitled to Shared Parental Leave. If you would like to curtail your maternity leave and take shared parental leave with your partner, please complete the SPL curtailment and entitlement form and send it to HR through People and Money giving at least 8 weeks’ notice of the date on which you intend to bring your maternity leave and pay to an end.
