Q1159: If an employer dismisses a pregnant employee as redundant is she still entitled to receive maternity pay?

An employee will qualify for statutory maternity pay (SMP) if she has 26 weeks’ continuous employment by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (EWC), and earns at least the lower earnings limit for national insurance purposes.

An employee who meets these qualifying conditions, and continues in employment into the 15th week before her EWC, will be entitled to her SMP if she resigns or is dismissed after that point.