Overview

This line manager briefing covers the basic rights of employees who become pregnant and take maternity leave. A second briefing Line manager briefing on maternity rights that apply in specific situations covers situations that may arise as a result of an employee's pregnancy or maternity leave, but will not be relevant to every pregnancy or period of maternity leave. 

It should be noted that the rights and duties discussed in this briefing are the minimum statutory rights and duties. Individual employers may offer their employees contractual entitlements over and above the minimum statutory rights. Employees' contractual terms may therefore be the source of further rights and duties that line managers will be required to take into account.

Female employees enjoy a range of statutory rights related to pregnancy and maternity leave:

1. Paid time off work for antenatal care
2. Protection against discrimination on grounds of pregnancy or maternity leave
3. Employees' health and safety rights during pregnancy
4. Maternity leave
• ordinary maternity leave and additional maternity leave
• compulsory maternity leave
5. Terms and conditions during maternity leave
6. Keeping-in-touch days
7. Reasonable contact
8. Return to work after maternity leave
9. The effect of maternity leave on holiday entitlement
   • public holidays during maternity leave
10. Statutory maternity pay
11. Test yourself

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