During this awful Covid-19 pandemic everyone is affected in one way or another. However, legislation in place at the moment means pregnant women will be affected long after this is over. 

As it stands, Statutory Maternity Pay is calculated during the 8-week period ending immediately before the 14th week before the expected week of childbirth. This means for myself and many others, that 8-week period is now! 

I am currently on furlough as my work is closed due to Covid-19. This means I’m receiving 80% of my normal pay and that I will receive my Statutory Maternity Pay based on this amount, rather than based on my full salary. Even if I am back at work before I go on maternity leave!

I am concerned not just about the injustice of this situation for a lot of mothers to be out there but my worry also lies with the health of pregnant women. Many may feel that they have to go back to work asap during this outbreak when they should be ‘shielding’ to make sure they have enough money to see them through this current time but also through their full maternity leave. I also worry this may force mothers in the future to take shorter maternity leave than they had wanted because they just can’t afford to stay off work! 

So please sign this petition for the government to make a change in legislation at this time, support mothers to be and their families in this unprecedented and uncertain time!