Pregnancy & Maternity Leave

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Pregnancy and 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 is important to understand your pregnancy and maternity leave rights at work.

If you want to know about 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 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form and we will get back to you.

Your Pregnancy and 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 are entitled to unpaid leave for one or two appointments, which is capped at six and a half hours for each appointment.

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 must:

  • Have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the child is due
  • Earn on average a salary that is at least equal to the lower earnings limit (£102 a week) that applies on the Saturday at the end of the 15th week before the baby is due

If your employer has mistreated you during your pregnancy or maternity leave, you should speak to a solicitor at JMW today to find out what action we can take on your behalf

Examples of Maternity and Pregnancy Discrimination

If an employer mistreats a woman because she is pregnant, then they are breaking the law and a claim can be brought against them.

Common examples of maternity and pregnancy discrimination include:

  • Treating a pregnant employee different to any other employee by not allowing the same training or opportunities for promotion
  • Mistreating a woman due to a pregnancy-related illness
  • Dismissing a woman from employment before she is due to return to work or has already returned
  • Making a pregnant woman redundant for any reasons related to her pregnancy or maternity leave

Regardless of how you have been discriminated against, it is important you speak to a solicitor to discuss your circumstances and start a claim.

Why Choose JMW?

Our solicitors are here to lend a hand when things don’t go to plan and an employer neglects your 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 becomes unfair dismissal, which could leave you eligible for compensation or even reinstatement.

Talk to Us

If you believe you have been unfairly treated by an employer and the issue relates to pregnancy or maternity leave, let us discuss your options with you. Call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form for a callback.

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