SPM20605 - Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) - Continuous Employment

Overview

To qualify for SMP, a woman must have been employed by the same employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks into the QW. The employee can still satisfy the continuous employment rule, even if they have only actually worked for short spells during the 26 - week period. The sole test is length of employment or, when a baby is born early, how long employment would have lasted.

From 6 April 2003 there are some minor changes to continuous employment.

Some breaks between contracts can count as part of a continuous period of employment. These can be periods of sickness and absence on adoption, paternity or parental leave.