Umbrella company ended contract to avoid Maternity payments :(

[cojak]

Sorry for the really lengthy messages! Just never had to deal with something like this before and nobody else to seek advice from...

Don't worry about that - I'm sure that our posters will be able to point you in the right direction for help.

[franktouch]

I'd go to the DailyMail if I was you, they would love a story like this.

But before it would be best to call a solicitor, i'm sure they'll have a quick chat with you for free.

[Michigan13]

Haven't confronted the umbrella company because I wanted to speak to my agency rep first.. Who as usual has been taking ages to get back to me... Still haven't transferred my pay over but finally spoke to my agency rep today and she stated that Because I'm contracted to the agency and paid by timesheet I'm not entitled to statutory maternity anyway, therefore transferring to the agency's PAYE wouldn't make any difference.

I'm i right to not believe her..?

ACAS who i spoke to again today say that its based on my national insurance contributions.. And suggested i speak to the inland revenue, The inland revenue couldnt tell me what they were.. But i have been making them and my pay is way over the Lower earnings threshold most weeks but im not sure how far back im supposed to take them into account!? ...somewhere says the last 8 weeks upto the 15th week qualification period..? Which would be last week onwards.. So again i THINK I should be eligible...

So confused! Lol.. :S

[cojak]

Haven't confronted the umbrella company because I wanted to speak to my agency rep first.. Who as usual has been taking ages to get back to me... Still haven't transferred my pay over but finally spoke to my agency rep today and she stated that Because I'm contracted to the agency and paid by timesheet I'm not entitled to statutory maternity anyway, therefore transferring to the agency's PAYE wouldn't make any difference.

I'm i right to not believe her..?

ACAS who i spoke to again today say that its based on my national insurance contributions.. And suggested i speak to the inland revenue, The inland revenue couldnt tell me what they were.. But i have been making them and my pay is way over the Lower earnings threshold most weeks but im not sure how far back im supposed to take them into account!? ...somewhere says the last 8 weeks upto the 15th week qualification period..? Which would be last week onwards.. So again i THINK I should be eligible...

So confused! Lol.. :S

Yes you are right not to believe her, but don't take our advice - go to your Citizen's Advice Bureau - they will be able to help with this.

[eek]

Yes you are right not to believe her, but don't take our advice - go to your Citizen's Advice Bureau - they will be able to help with this.

+1. This is a mess based on people messing you around. You need someone to get your story straight to allow you to identify the correct course of action and ensure that you can explain clearly why what they are doing is wrong.

And the Citizen's Advice Bureau is definitely the correct place to begin.

If you have legal cover with your home insurance you may find they have a helpline that can help...

[GazCol]

Haven't confronted the umbrella company because I wanted to speak to my agency rep first.. Who as usual has been taking ages to get back to me... Still haven't transferred my pay over but finally spoke to my agency rep today and she stated that Because I'm contracted to the agency and paid by timesheet I'm not entitled to statutory maternity anyway, therefore transferring to the agency's PAYE wouldn't make any difference.

I'm i right to not believe her..?

ACAS who i spoke to again today say that its based on my national insurance contributions.. And suggested i speak to the inland revenue, The inland revenue couldnt tell me what they were.. But i have been making them and my pay is way over the Lower earnings threshold most weeks but im not sure how far back im supposed to take them into account!? ...somewhere says the last 8 weeks upto the 15th week qualification period..? Which would be last week onwards.. So again i THINK I should be eligible...

So confused! Lol.. :S

You're eligible - if you don't want to start at the CAB you might find you've got access to a legal helpline through your motor or home insurance that can give advice on employment issues.

edit - really what Eek said.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I have asked HMRC for comment on this subject - will let you know when I hear anything

[Michigan13]

Am going to get onto the CAB tomorrow, just reluctant to contact them as I have a feeling that like the people at ACAS they're going to be just as confused as I am! Seems like somebodies trying to pull a fast one, just got to work out who so I can take the correct course of action!

Think I'm definitely going to have to seek the advice of a solicitor or something.

Thanks again to everyone, and thanks Lisa, will be interested to hear what they say also...

[ASB]

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-materni...t-what-you-pay

the link might help. Or it might just confuse things more.

[eek]

Am going to get onto the CAB tomorrow, just reluctant to contact them as I have a feeling that like the people at ACAS they're going to be just as confused as I am! Seems like somebodies trying to pull a fast one, just got to work out who so I can take the correct course of action!

Think I'm definitely going to have to seek the advice of a solicitor or something.

Thanks again to everyone, and thanks Lisa, will be interested to hear what they say also...

Let's break it down into bullet points then

1) You are employed by a company (an umbrella) who provide your services via an agency to a 3rd party.
2) You have worked with the umbrella long enough to qualify for maternity pay.
3) You are pregnant
4) knowing that you are pregnant the umbrella has / is trying to make you redundant to avoid maternity pay.

While the above may not be 100% right I think breaking what you originally wrote into short bullet points will make it far easier to understand..