Maternity leave and pay

Introduction

Guide

This guide will help you comply with the laws on statutory maternity leave and pay.

All pregnant employees are:

entitled to take 52 weeks' statutory maternity leave (SML) around the birth of their child
protected from suffering detriment or dismissal for taking SML
entitled to benefit from their existing terms and conditions, except those relating to wages or salary, during SML

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LRA Workplace Information Service
03300 555 300

Also on this site

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Maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay calculator for employers

Paternity leave and pay

Shared parental leave and pay

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