UK Pregnancy & Family Rights at Work
15 UK family-rights guides — pregnancy, maternity, paternity (split-leave), shared parental, parental leave, dependant leave, breastfeeding, IVF, miscarriage, neonatal care, bereavement. Each guide has statutory entitlements, action steps, employer obligations, and what to do if refused. Includes April 2024 (extended redundancy protection), April 2025 (Neonatal Care Leave), and April 2026 statutory updates.
When and how should I tell my employer I am pregnant?
You must notify your employer of your pregnancy by the end of the 15th week before your due date (Qualifying Week — typically 25 weeks pregnant). Telling earlie…
What counts as pregnancy discrimination and how do I challenge it?
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is unlawful under Equality Act 2010 s.18. It includes: unfavourable treatment because of pregnancy, related illness, or m…
Can I take time off for antenatal appointments?
Yes — pregnant employees have a statutory right to paid time off for antenatal appointments under Employment Rights Act 1996 s.55. There's no cap on the number …
How do I formally request maternity leave?
Notify your employer in writing by the end of the 15th week before your expected due date (Qualifying Week). Include: confirmation you're pregnant, expected due…
How does UK paternity leave work in 2026?
From April 2024 changes (Paternity Leave Amendment Regs): UK paternity leave is up to 2 weeks paid at the statutory rate (£184.03/week for 2025-26 — check April…
How does UK Shared Parental Leave work?
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) lets eligible parents share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay (Statutory Shared Parental Pay at £184.03/week 2025-26) with…
What are my rights when returning from maternity leave?
After Ordinary Maternity Leave (first 26 weeks) you have the right to return to the SAME job on the same terms (ERA 1996 s.71). After Additional Maternity Leave…
How does UK parental leave work (different from maternity)?
Parental Leave (different from Shared Parental Leave) gives parents up to 18 weeks of UNPAID leave per child, taken in blocks of up to 4 weeks per year, before …
What is dependant leave and when can I take it?
All UK employees have a day-one right to a 'reasonable' amount of UNPAID time off to deal with emergencies involving a dependant (spouse, partner, child, parent…
How do I request flexible working after maternity leave?
From April 2024, flexible working is a day-one right (no service requirement). The strongest moment to request is during return-to-work planning, BEFORE you off…
What are my rights as a breastfeeding mother at work?
UK law requires employers to (1) conduct a risk assessment for breastfeeding employees, (2) provide a private place to rest (NOT a toilet), and (3) consider rea…
Do I get paid time off for IVF or fertility treatment?
UK law has no specific statutory right to paid time off for fertility treatment — but you have important protections. Once IVF treatment results in implantation…
What leave am I entitled to after a miscarriage in the UK?
UK law historically had limited specific protection for miscarriage. From October 2024, the Pregnancy Loss (Leave) Bill provides bereavement leave following ear…
What is UK Neonatal Care Leave and how does it work?
Neonatal Care Leave (effective April 2025 under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023) provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for parents whose baby spends …
What is UK Parental Bereavement Leave?
Parental Bereavement Leave (Parental Bereavement Leave Act 2018, in force April 2020) gives parents who lose a child under 18 (including stillbirth from 24 week…