Antenatal/prenatal care
- Every pregnant employee is entitled to time off work for antenatal care – no matter how long you have been in your job
- Time off for antenatal care has to be paid at your normal rate of pay
- If your employer either refuses to give you time off, or refuses to pay you for your time off then it is considered illegal.
Maternity Leave
- Statutory Maternity Leave is for 52 weeks. You may be entitled to receive Statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks of the leave
- To qualify for maternity leave you must be an ‘employee’
- You need to notify your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date, telling them:
1. Your pregnant
2. Your due date
3. When you require your maternity leave to begin
- You are allowed to begin leave from 11 weeks prior to your due date
- It is compulsory to take two weeks maternity leave after the birth of your baby (four weeks if you work in a factory)
- If you lose your baby you are still entitled to maternity leave
Returning to work
- When you go back to work after maternity leave, you are entitled to the same job and same terms and conditions as if you had never been off
- If your previous job is no longer required at the company, they have to offer you alternative employment.
Read the full details of maternity rights here >