Working whilst pregnant
Understanding maternity leave entitlements
For most busy, working mums-to-be, the thought of taking time off to bond with and care for your new arrival is incredibly exciting. The good news is that your maternity leave entitlements are now better than ever, and although there’s a limit to how much time you can take off, you can start your maternity leave as early as 11 weeks before your baby is due. As well as maternity leave, you’re also entitled to maternity pay.
Currently, every pregnant mum-to-be qualifies for 52 weeks Statutory Maternity Leave, which is made up of 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and then 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave. Whether you start your maternity leave at the first opportunity (11 weeks before your due date) or you work all the way up to the birth, you’ll get the same number of weeks off. It’s up to you whether you want to take it easy during your final trimester, or save up your entitlement so you can spend more time with your baby once they arrive, but either way, you must tell your employer of your intentions at least 15 weeks before your baby’s due date.
Although you don’t have to take your full maternity leave entitlement, legally you must take at least 2 weeks compulsory leave after your baby is born, or at least 4 weeks if you’re a factory worker.
Maternity pay
Working out your maternity pay can seem confusing, but the first place to start is to ask yourself how long you’ve been working for your current employer:
If, at 15 weeks before your baby is due, you’ve been working for your employer for 26 continuous weeks, you’ll qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. This will give you 90% of your salary for the first six weeks of your maternity leave. After the first 6 weeks you’ll get £124.88 a week or 90% of your average earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.
If, at 15 weeks before your baby is due, you’ve been working for your employer for less than 26 continuous weeks or you’re self-employed, you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance instead. You can claim Maternity Allowance for a maximum of 39 weeks. Speak to your local benefits office, who will be able to advise you.
The benefits of maternity leave
Childbirth is emotionally and physically draining, and every new mum needs time and plenty of rest to recover. There’s a lot to learn in those first few weeks as you and your baby get to know each other. Maternity leave gives you the chance to focus solely on being a fantastic mum along with the precious time needed to bond with your new baby. Take advantage of it while you can.
Maternity leave and your other entitlements
Even though you’re not working, you’ll still be eligible to receive all of the usual benefits you receive such as payment into your pension plan or private healthcare. You should also continue to accrue any annual holiday you’re usually entitled to, which means there’s really nothing you’ll be missing out on.
A safe working environment during pregnancy
Legally, it’s your employer’s responsibility to ensure your workplace is safe when you’re both pregnant and breastfeeding. To ensure this is the case, they’re required to carry out a risk assessment on your role and ensure that you’re not exposed to hazardous chemicals, and you don’t lift heavy loads, stand for long periods of time, work long hours or work in extreme temperatures.
If it’s not possible for your employer to meet these conditions, they’re legally obliged to give you time off on full pay, regardless of the length of time you’ve been working for them. It’s important to know your rights, and avoid taking risks by working in an unsafe environment. The most important thing to consider is not your responsibility to your employer, but your responsibility to your own health and that of your baby.
Time off for antenatal appointments
Naturally, you’ll have quite a few antenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy and if any of these appointments fall during working hours, you’re entitled to take the time off to go and also be paid for it. Whatever the appointment – from scans to relaxation classes - if your midwife has advised them then you’re fully entitled to attend.
For more help and advice on maternity pay and benefits contact your local benefits office or go to direct.gov.uk . And if you have any other questions, or you'd like to talk to someone who's been there, our experts are on hand. You can call them on 0800 996 1000 or use Live Chat and chat instantly with them online.