Pregnancy

If you are pregnant you have the right to paid time off for ante-natal care e.g. visiting a clinic.

You also have the right to maternity leave of a year and to return to work after maternity leave. This applies from the day you start work. If you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and earn over £97 per week, you should receive Statutory Maternity Pay for the first 39 weeks and you will be entitled to another 3 months unpaid maternity leave, if you want it. Most women who have worked for their employer for less time, or who earn less, will be able to claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentreplus.

If you are sacked for maternity reasons you will be able to claim unfair dismissal and sex discrimination. You may be able to negotiate a return from maternity leave to part time working. Take advice if your employer refuses. Partners will receive paternity leave and Statutory Paternity Pay if they have been employed for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. 26 weeks before the 15th week broadly covers parents whose pregnancy started after they started the job.

Adoptive parents have similar rights. From the day you start work, you have the right to reasonable unpaid time off to arrange care for a dependant in an emergency, including birth and death. Parents who have a year’s service and a child under 5 (or a disabled child under 18) can take some unpaid parental leave. Those with a child under 17 (or a disabled child under 18) can apply for flexible working but if your employer does not agree, get advice as the rules are complicated.