Maternity leave lawyers
Explore how we can help you with any employment related legal requirements.
Contact our teamOur maternity leave solicitors are committed to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace, and we will help employees navigate this important area of employment law if they feel that they have been treated unfairly by their employer.
Our maternity leave lawyers also offer guidance such as how to manage the transition back to work and support for working parents. Moore Barlow aims to ensure that employers and employees understand their rights and obligations regarding maternity.
- If you are working and expecting a baby, your employer has to satisfy your legal rights, including your right to maternity leave and in most cases, to statutory maternity pay.
- Most employers honour these rights, but you may be facing discrimination from an employer who is failing to meet their obligations or even tries to dismiss you.
- If you think you are facing discrimination because you are pregnant, talk to us; we will work hard to take away the worry and protect your rights.
What is maternity leave?
Maternity leave is the period of time during which a woman takes time off work due to pregnancy and childbirth. This is usually a period of several months, and during this time, the employee is entitled to receive statutory maternity pay.
What are your legal rights when taking maternity leave?
When you are working and expecting a baby, you have a number of legal rights that your employer should honour:
- the right to take time off work for ante-natal care;
- the right to work in a safe environment;
- the right to claim discrimination and unfair dismissal if dismissed because of pregnancy or maternity leave;
- the right to take up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave;
- the right to return to work after you have had the baby; and
- the right, in some cases, to statutory maternity pay (SMP).
Most employers will honour these rights. However, sometimes an employer may try avoiding their obligations for your paid leave, may try to change your contract terms because you are pregnant or may even dismiss you because you are pregnant or have asked to take maternity leave.
You should also be allowed to choose when you take maternity leave; it can be up to 11 weeks before you’re due to give birth. If you’ve just given birth, you must take at least two weeks leave before going back to work or four weeks if your job is physically demanding.
You should also receive statutory maternity pay (SMP) while you take maternity leave, providing you qualify. We can tell you if you qualify for SMP and what the minimum payments should be.
Our team of employment solicitors
Why choose our maternity leave solicitors?
At Moore Barlow, our maternity leave solicitors are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the best possible legal advice and support during this important time in your life. We understand that pregnancy and childbirth can be challenging, and we are committed to helping you navigate the complex legal landscape of maternity leave. Our team has extensive experience in this area and will work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests, so you can focus on what really matters – your family. Choose us for compassionate, expert legal advice when you need it most.
How can our maternity leave solicitors help?
If you find yourself in need of an experienced maternity leave solicitor, we can provide expert legal advice and support to ensure that you receive your full entitlements during your maternity leave. We can assist with negotiating flexible working arrangements, resolving disputes with your employer, and ensuring that you are not unfairly treated or discriminated against. Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights as a working parent and helping you achieve a successful and stress-free transition into parenthood.
With our expert staff based across our offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington, and Woking we offer specialist employment law advice to clients nationwide.