Maternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): Reg 29 Annex L Determinations
Police officers who have at least 26 weeks service by the end of the 15th week before the Expected Week of Confinement (EWC) will be entitled to receive Statutory Maternity Pay whether or not there is an intention to return to work.
SMP is payable from the 11th week before the EWC for a maximum of 26 weeks comprising 9/10ths of average salary for the first six weeks, followed by a set statutory rate per week for the remaining period, subject to the usual deductions.
Regulatory Maternity Pay
Officers who have 63 weeks continuous service at the beginning of the EWC (Sunday), will be entitled to full pay and allowances for the first 18 weeks of maternity leave.
With the agreement of the Chief Officer a female officer can elect to be paid half pay for the period commencing on the 14th week until the 23rd week instead of receiving full pay for the period 14th to the 18th week.
Where officers receive regulatory maternity pay, they must return to work for at least 1 month following maternity leave. This requirement affects both those working reduced hours and full time and includes both sick and annual leave taken during that time. If an officer does not return to work for 1 month then the difference between the statutory and regulatory maternity pay must be repaid.
Maternity Rights for Police Women
This leaflet has been prepared by the Police Federation of England & Wales to explain your rights to health, leave and money if you are pregnant, on maternity leave or returning to work. Having a baby can be one of the happiest events of your life. Being pregnant or a new mother does not prevent you from working or developing your career but it is important to be aware of your rights, particularly as women officers’ maternity rights are different in certain respects to those of police staff.
See also:
Maternity and Adoption Support Leave Advice for fathers and partners.
