Pregnancy & Maternity Leave Law

Pregnancy and maternity leave laws can sometimes be difficult for employees to comprehend. However, unfair dismissal cases often result from employers neglecting their responsibilities, which is why it's so important to understand your pregnancy and maternity leave rights at work.

If you want to know more about employment law regarding your entitlements during and after pregnancy, or feel you have been unfairly treated on this issue yourself, our solicitors can help.

To take advantage of the years of experience our experts have amassed in this field, call 0845 872 6666 or complete our online contact form.

Your Pregnancy & Maternity Leave Entitlement

If you are pregnant, you must notify your employer at least 15 weeks before the week your baby is due and also tell them when you intend to start maternity leave.

You are entitled to reasonable paid time off for antenatal care during pregnancy, however fathers-to-be do not have a legal right to have time off to accompany their partners to antenatal care.

Employees are also entitled to statutory maternity leave, which is paid and made up of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave. You must take two weeks of compulsory maternity leave after the child is born.

To qualify for statutory maternity pay, you have to have been employed by the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the child is due, and earning on average a salary which is at least equal to the lower earnings limit that applies on the Saturday at the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. The lower earnings limit is currently £102 a week.

Our Services

Our solicitors are here to lend a hand when things don't quite go to plan and an employer neglects these pregnancy and maternity leave rights.

We have years of experience representing employees who have been made redundant or dismissed for a reason relating to maternity leave, pregnancy, paternity leave or parental leave. Doing so automatically becomes unfair dismissal, which could leave you eligible for compensation or even reinstatement.

Contact JMW Today

If you believe you have been unfairly treated by an employer and the issue relates to pregnancy or maternity leave, let us discuss with you your options and give you expert legal advice should you need it. Call 0845 872 6666 or complete our online contact form.