Understand your maternity & parental rights at work
Pregnancy, adoption and new parenthood bring important rights — leave, pay, protection from discrimination and the right to return to work. We help you understand them and write clearly to your employer.
Book a free 15-minute chatHow we can help
- Explaining maternity, paternity, adoption & shared parental leave and pay
- Antenatal appointment time off
- Neonatal Care Leave and Parental Bereavement Leave
- Rights while on leave and returning to work
- Redundancy protection during and after leave
- Preparing letters and complaints to employers
- Understanding grievance and tribunal processes
The details, in plain English
Maternity leave & pay
You may be entitled to Statutory Maternity Leave and Pay (or Maternity Allowance), plus paid time off for antenatal care. Your rights — pay rises, holiday, pension and protection from discrimination — continue while you're on leave.
KIT & SPLIT days
You can work up to 10 Keeping in Touch days on maternity/adoption leave, or up to 20 Shared Parental Leave in Touch days, without ending your leave. They're voluntary and must be agreed with your employer.
Your right to return
Take 26 weeks or less and you normally return to the same job. Take more and you have the right to return to your job where possible, or a suitable alternative on no worse terms.
Redundancy protection
Pregnant employees and those on certain family leave get extra protection — often until 18 months after the birth or adoption — including the right to be offered a suitable alternative vacancy first.
What to gather
Strong, organised evidence makes everything easier. Where possible, it helps to have:
- Your employment contract
- Company policies
- Payslips
- Emails and letters from your employer
- Details of leave already taken
- Notes of relevant conversations and meetings
What we don't do
We explain publicly available information about your rights and help you draft your own letters. We don't assess the strength of a legal claim or provide representation.
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to maternity pay?
You may qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance depending on your employment history and earnings.
Can my employer make me redundant because I'm pregnant?
No. Pregnancy is protected and additional redundancy protections apply during family leave.
Can you help me write to my employer?
Yes. We can help prepare letters and guide you through the next steps.
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