Little Bit of Green

There was a time when a woman who was in a relationship could concentrate completely on the task of running a home and raising children, full-time jobs in themselves. Those times have changed to a degree, though, as society and our economic needs often come together to dictate that most mums have to work. Of course, much attention is paid to the pending arrival, but you do need to focus on your rights, as well.

1. You are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave at a maximum. This entitlement is paid to you, regardless of whether you work on a full or a part-time basis, or how long you’ve worked for a particular employer.

2. This maternity leave will be subdivided into two categories and will affect the amount of money that you receive from your employer accordingly.

3. The standard maternity leave ordinarily lasts for 26 weeks. During this time you will be entitled to all your contractual rights, including your ability to earn paid holidays and perks such as a company vehicle. In other words, you are treated exactly as if you are still working, except for the payment you receive.

4. You will get “additional maternity leave” for 13 weeks after the initial 26 have been completed and now your contractual rights will apply only in certain areas. Specifically, the notice remains the same, redundancy pay availability is not changed and the standard grievance and disciplinary issues remain in force.

5. Statutory rights are effective throughout the entire period of maternity leave, including the potential for another 13 weeks of leave, which is unpaid. You may not be discriminated against and must not be passed over in favour of another employee in the event of redundancy.

6. If you have 26 weeks of continuous service at the end of the 15th week before baby is due, you will qualify for what is known as Statutory Maternity Pay, or SMP. This allowance is calculated and determined by reference to a period of eight weeks, up to and including the 15th week before baby comes along. You must have earned at least £87 per week before tax during this period. If you do not so qualify, you may be entitled to receive Maternity Allowance.

7. The earliest you are able to start your maternity leave is 11 weeks before your baby is due, but it is up to you to decide and you can work right up until the birth. Both the period of your leave and your payment will commence on the day that you actually begin your maternity leave time.

8. You are not legally obliged to tell your employer that you are pregnant until 15 weeks before the baby is expected.

9. As a pregnant mother, you are entitled to free National Health Service, dental treatment and prescriptions as well.

10. It may often be in your best interests to tell your employer you are pregnant as soon as possible, as you will then be entitled to a reasonable amount of time off with pay for doctor’s appointments. In these circumstances, you may not be expected to handle certain substances, or to be involved in some tasks such as heavy lifting, in order to protect the unborn child.

There are so many things to think about when preparing to live life as an expectant mother, and you should certainly consider professional coaching to help you prepare. Everyone knows that coaching for women is widely accepted and beneficial these days and online life coaching is available for every phase of your ever-changing lifestyle!

It’s important to note that this article is only intended as a general guide for women who are getting ready for maternity leave in the UK. You should check your rights as maternity legislation changes frequently. With the available information at the time, the author has written this article accordingly. We do not intend that this article should replace the current information that you may reveal through your own research process.

Amanda Alexander is the Director of Coaching Mums and a widely renowned ICF-accredited coach who delivers professional coaching programmes to working mums across the globe who long for more time, balance and fulfilment in their busy lives. Download our free eBook especially for working mums with 5 easy ways to achieve balance.

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