I am expecting a child. What are my employment rights?

For mothers of babies due on or after 1st April 2007:

• 52 weeks maternity leave from day one of starting a job – the distinction between Ordinary and Additional Maternity Leave remains the same.
• Statutory Maternity Pay for 39 weeks provided you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by 15th week before the baby is due. You may qualify for Maternity Allowance if you do not qualify for SMP.
• continuation of the contract of employment except for pay
• right to return to the same employment after Ordinary Maternity Leave, if possible, or the same or similar employment after Additional Maternity Leave; protection against detriment and dismissal on account of maternity;
• protection from detrimental treatment or dismissal, including redundancy, on any grounds partly or wholly related to pregnancy;
• entitlement to 13 weeks unpaid parental leave until the child’s 5th birthday, or, if the child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, 18 weeks unpaid leave until the child’s 18th birthday;
• Entitlement, where appropriate to dependents’ leave;
• Right to request flexible working hours
• Partners of pregnant women and adopting parents may be entitled to paternity leave

For more information see our leaflet Maternity Leave and Pay which is available from the web or by phoning the Know Your Rights line 0870 600 4 882.