Maternity leave and pay

Introduction

All pregnant employees are entitled to take 52 weeks' statutory maternity leave around the birth of their child.

However, an employee must meet certain qualifying conditions to receive statutory maternity pay (SMP).

As the employer, you pay the SMP but you can reclaim all or most of it from the government.

This guide will help you deal with the administration of statutory maternity leave and pay. It will also help you understand the employment-rights issues surrounding women on maternity leave, eg in relation to redundancy and discrimination.

It suggests how you could offer enhanced maternity leave and pay arrangements to attract and retain employees.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The right to maternity leave
• Notification and confirmation of maternity leave
• When maternity leave can begin
• Terms and conditions during maternity leave
• Benefits during maternity leave
• Contact and work during maternity leave
• A change to the planned return date from maternity leave
• Returning to work from maternity leave
• Maternity leave and protection against detriment or dismissal
• Maternity pay
• Here's how we managed contact and work during an employee's maternity leave

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