EMPLOYMENT LAW

Maternity & Paternity Rights

Becoming a parent is one of the most important experiences any person can have, and there are laws in place which provide certain rights during this time of your life. Maternity and paternity rights are a key part of employment law and in the UK, are a compulsory part of any employment contract.

Maternal and paternal rights covers key areas such as time off work, shared care, pay, returning to work and protection from dismissal. Whether you are an employer who needs advice on the implementation of maternity and paternity rights, or an employee who believes they are not receiving their full rights, our expert legal team can help.

For more information about our employment law services please call us on +44 (0)20 3475 6751 or email info@carterbond.co.uk

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More information about Maternity and Paternity rights

Are you an employee looking for information about maternity and paternity rights? Or an employer seeking legal advice? We can help with all areas of employment law.

Whether you’re an employer or an employee, maternity and paternity rights can raise all sorts of questions. The law sets out certain obligations that English employers have, and the protection they need to provide to their employees.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about maternity and paternity rights.

Q: Can prospective parents get paid time off work for antenatal appointments?

A: Pregnant mothers are entitled to a “reasonable” amount of paid time off work to attend antenatal appointments. Fathers, or the partner of the mother, are allowed to attend two antenatal appointments but this time off will not be paid.

Q: Does the mother’s role need to be kept open for her during maternity leave?

A: If the mother only takes Ordinary Maternity Leave of 26 weeks, the same role must be available for them upon their return. Where an employee opts for Additional Maternity Leave, the law allows them to return in a different role. However, this role must be on the same terms.

Q: How much time off can I have for paternity leave?

A: You can take up to a fortnight of paternity leave in consecutive days; you can’t take your entitlement in single days, spread over a longer period. Your paternity leave can start on the day your baby is born, when the baby is due or any time after the birth. Paternity leave must be fully taken within 56 days of the birth. The same rules apply to adopting a child or baby.

Q: What is shared parental leave?

A: The mother can choose to end her maternity leave early and transfer the allowance to her partner. You can decide how you want to split the maternity leave but as a couple, you will have 37 paid weeks, and a total of 50 weeks available to take off work.

Maternity and paternity rights can be a very emotive issue, and your needs as an employee may change once you have a baby. Whether you are an employee needing advice about your rights, or an employer facing a difficult decision, our experienced legal team can help.

YOUR EMPLOYMENT LAW TEAM

Howard Lewis-Nunn

Employment Partner / Barrister

e: howard@carterbond.co.uk
t: +44 020 3475 2713
m: +44 07572 823 361

HIGHLIGHTS

Advising the NMEC on the employment implications from the closure of the Millennium Dome and its disposal

We have acted for high ranking City executives and settled for a payout of £5m in relation to significant bonus claims

WHY CARTER BOND

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