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maternity leave and pay

Are you a Mum-to-be and in work? This section covers the basic (sometimes called statutory) rights that employers must provide for new mothers who work for them.

Your employer may offer better rights than the legal minimum and you need to check your contract of employment, your staff handbook, or perhaps a special leaflet that the personnel department may provide in larger organisations to find out your entitlement with your current employer.

  • What time off work am I entitled to in relation to maternity?  more...
  • I am expecting a child. What are my employment rights?  more...
  • What is Ordinary Maternity Leave?  more...
  • When can I take maternity leave?  more...
  • What is Additional Maternity Leave (AML)?  more...
  • Do I have to take maternity leave, even if I don’t want to?  more...
  • What notice do I need to give if I want to take maternity leave?  more...
  • Once I’m on maternity leave, do I have to let my employer know that I’m returning to work?  more...
  • Will I have the same job when I return from maternity leave?  more...
  • Can I work flexible hours when I return from maternity leave?  more...
  • Am I entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)?  more...
  • How much can I expect in Statutory Maternity Pay?  more...
  • My employer says I’m not eligible for maternity pay as I’m a worker rather than an employee. Is this right?  more...
  • I’m not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay. Are there any other benefits I’m entitled to instead?  more...
  • I’ve been sacked because I’m pregnant. What can I do?  more...
  • What happens if I am sick during pregnancy, maternity leave, or when I was supposed to return to work?  more...
  • Can I take time off work to attend antenatal classes?   more...
  • I want to carry on breastfeeding my baby for as long as possible. What rights do I have which will help me to do this?  more...
  • What happens to my Statutory Maternity Pay if my job ends?  more...
  • Do I have to repay my maternity pay if I don't go back to work?  more...
  • I work part-time. Are my maternity rights different from full-time workers?  more...
  • If I go for a job interview, do I have to tell them that I'm pregnant?  more...
  • My maternity leave is about to finish and I am pregnant again. What are my rights?  more...
  • My contract of employment does not make clear my entitlement to maternity leave and maternity pay. What should I do?  more...
  • I've got two part-time jobs. Do I get maternity pay for both?  more...
  • I am already on maternity leave. Am I allowed to change the date that I will return to work?  more...
  • Can I do any work for my employer while on maternity leave?  more...

further information

Maternity rights are complicated, as everyone’s situation is different so you may need further advice than that which is offered in these questions. You can visit our free help page for general advice and help organisations, but here are some organisations you can go to for further help:

Maternity Action (advice to pregnant women and new parents) - 020 7324 4740 - www.maternityaction.org.uk

Working Families(advice for parents, trade unions and employers on balancing work and family life) - 020 7253 7243 www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Health and Safety Executive (advice on pregnancy/maternity and health and safety) - Infoline provides acces to the HSE's health and safety information, and access to expert advice and guidance. 08701 545 500 (8am-6pm) hseinformationservices@natbrit.com

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provides advice and information on issues relating to workplace discrimination in England, Scotland and Wales, including telephone helplines.

  • 0845 604 6610 (England)
  • 0845 604 5510 (Scotland)
  • 0845 604 8810 (Wales)

equalityhumanrights.com

In Northern Ireland, you can get help and information from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Helpline: 028 90 890 890 equalityni.org

Inland Revenue (tax credits) – For calls in England, Wales, Scotland: 0845 300 3900 (8am-8pm) For calls in Northern Ireland 0845 603 2000 (8am-8pm) www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk (see also Tax Credits - your questions answered)

Benefits Agency (your local office will be in the phone book) This information is available from the Department of Work and Pensions- www.dwp.gov.uk

Maternity leave and pay: Know your rights leaflet

workSMART Know Your Rights

Download our Know Your Rights leaflet on maternity leave and pay as a .pdf file

(you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file, click here for free downloads of this software)