Maternity rights factsheet

Notification

The employee should notify the company of her pregnancy and intended start date of maternity leave, no later than the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (EWC), or as soon as reasonably practicable.

Failure to give correct notice could be a disciplinary matter unless the employee has a valid reason for any delay.

Within 28 days of receiving notice the employer must confirm to the employee in writing her entitlement and the date on which she is due to return to work assuming she will take her full entitlement.