Work and pregnancy

Know your rights

You can't be made redundant, dismissed or treated unfairly because of your pregnancy. You can make a claim via an employment tribunal for compensation if you think this has happened.

You're entitled to a number of rights and benefits when you are pregnant. But when it comes to maternity leave and pay, your employers may be more flexible than the law actually requires, so don't miss out on the chance to tailor your rights to your needs if you can.

Detailed sources of information include:

• Your employer
• Your employer's human resources specialist
• Your trade union or professional organisation
• Your local office of the benefits agency (for maternity benefit and child benefit)
• Directgov
• Inland Revenue

Maternity leave, pay and other benefits

Basic entitlements are available to all, no matter how long you've been with the same employer and no matter what your hours are. All employees are entitled to paid time off for antenatal care, for example, including antenatal classes. Low income families may be able to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant

You may be entitled to maternity grants, maternity pay (or maternity allowance), maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave or child benefit.

Pregnant women can claim free prescriptions and dental care during pregnancy and for a year afterwards. Currently, you're also entitled to child benefit once your baby's born.

Your midwife or doctor should give you the forms to apply for these benefits.

Safety at work

During pregnancy and while you're breastfeeding, your work must not put the health of you or your baby at risk. Your employer should carry out an assessment of the risks and adjust your conditions or hours if necessary.

If your job cannot be tailored then you should be offered a suitable alternative job if possible, if not you should be suspended on full pay.

If you feel your employers aren't behaving as they should with regard to your maternity leave or any other matters, your local Citizens Advice Bureau can offer support and legal advice.

Parental leave

This is unpaid and is available to all parents - mothers and fathers - who've been with the same employer for at least a year. For each child, each parent can get a total of 13 weeks off up until the child's fifth birthday (longer if your child is disabled).

You and your employer should come to an agreement about the length of time you're away on any one occasion.