Maternity Leave Notification

While completing this plan is not mandatory for eligibility for maternity leave, it is advisable to share most of the information it includes with the company. You may find it helpful to complete this with your Line Manager.

I am entitled to 26 weeks’ ordinary maternity leave (OML) plus 26 weeks additional maternity leave (AML).  OML lasts for 26 weeks. AML runs from the day after the last day of OML up to 26 weeks.

Please provide HR with your MAT B1 certificate from your Doctor or midwife giving the expected week of childbirth. You should receive this on or around the 20th week of pregnancy. 

This must be no earlier than the start of the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth. No later than the 15th week before the EWC, you must give notice to your employer that you intend to start taking your maternity leave or as soon as it is reasonably practicable for you to do so. Your employer should note their statutory duty to notify you of the date on which your maternity leave will end. 

Please note that should you be absent from work in respect of a pregnancy related illness at any time after the start of the 4th week before your expected week of childbirth, then your ordinary maternity leave will automatically begin.  You must notify us of pregnancy related absences during the above-mentioned period a quickly as possible.  Equally, should you give birth prior to the commencement of your maternity leave then your maternity leave will automatically start from the date you give birth.

If you decide, whether now or later, that you do not intend to return to work with your employer after your additional maternity leave, you must give notice of termination of employment in accordance with your contract of employment.  If you provide early notification to your employer that you will not return to work after your additional maternity leave, this will not result in your employment being terminated early or the non-accrual of benefits during your maternity leave.