Maternity Law Solicitors

Maternity rights

The law provides for statutory maternity rights, although only in certain situations. An employee’s contract may also provide for further maternity rights, over and above the statutory minimum.

As an employer, it can be confusing to know what maternity laws apply and when. All employees are allowed maternity leave, so long as they provide the correct notice. However, only certain employees are eligible to receive statutory maternity pay. It all depends on how long the employee has been with the company, their pay, and what their contractual rights are.

We can advise on your legal obligations as an employer. We will assess the situation and determine whether an employee is eligible to statutory maternity rights. With our input, you can be confident that your business has adhered to the rules.

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination

Pregnancy and maternity are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Employers must not to treat an employee unfairly on account of their pregnancy or maternity leave, or it could amount to discrimination.

If you want to take certain action against an employee who is pregnant or on maternity leave, we recommend that you seek legal advice first. If you proceed to make such an employee redundant, for example, it could be misconstrued as discrimination.

If your business is facing allegations of discrimination, we can help. We will advise how best to diffuse the situation. There are a number of options available, including negotiation, mediation or a settlement agreement. If the claim has little merit, we can help your business defend the claim, working to undermine the accusations that have been made.

We are specialist employment solicitors and represent employers across England and Wales. We’ll provide clear, straightforward legal advice.