Statutory maternity pay (SMP) and leave

When an employee is expecting a baby, they may be entitled to statutory maternity leave (SML) and Statutory maternity pay (SMP Statutory Maternity Pay is the pay an employer must give to female employees on maternity leave, for up to 39 weeks.). Employers can choose to pay more, this is occupational maternity pay (OMP). Find out about qualifying for statutory maternity leave and pay.

  1. Open the required company.

  2. Go to Employees.

  3. Select the required employee.

  4. Select Leave.

  5. Select Add Leave.

  6. Go to Type and select Maternity Leave.

  7. Go to Payment and select from the following:

    • Don't Pay: Don't pay the employee anything.

      It is a legal requirement to pay an employe SMP if they are entitled.

    • Pay as usual: Don't pay SMP, just pay the employees usual pay.

      An employee must still be paid at least the SMP amount. You will not be entitled to SMP recovery when Pay as usual is chosen.

    • Statutory Pay: Pay Statutory Maternity Pay if the employee is entitled.

    • Occupational Pay: Pay occupational maternity based on a specific policy.

      • Select the required occupational maternity pay scheme.

      • Enter the From and To dates.

  8. This is the period of maternity leave. All employees are entitled to 52 weeks leave, even if they are not receiving pay. Employees may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. External website

  9. Select Use Assumed Pensionable Pay Assumed Pensionable Pay is a notional pensionable pay figure that is used to ensure that your pension is not affected if your pensionable pay reduces when you are away from work. It protects you if you are absent because of sickness, injury, or relevant child-related leave etc. Use of assumed pensionable pay would need to be indicated by the relevant pension provider, as it is not always used., if this applies.

  10. Choose Manual Description if you want to give more details about the payment. Otherwise, choose Describe automatically.

  11. If required, select Payment Requires Processing.

    This is only applicable to historic entries.

  12. Add any additional details in Notes.

  13. Add any relevant files in the Documents section.

  14. Select Create to finish.