Pregnancy & Parental Leave

For those expecting a child, the trust and deanery have policies in place for calculation of maternity leave and pay.

A general overview of the considerations during early pregnancy and some guidance can be found at https://gasmummy.wordpress.com. This was created by individuals working within the deanery and can provide some useful information. It has information on workplace hazards during pregnancy, as well as, guidance on leave entitlements (including shared parental leave), Keeping in touch days (KIT days) and returning to work.

Please also see our LTFT guide and the maternity section: click here

Lead employer guidance

The lead employer provides information and forms that need to be completed during pregnancy.

The lead employer maternity handbook (Click Here) is a very useful document and acts as a complete guide to pregnancy at work and maternity leave.

The lead employer new parent page can be found here (which includes all polcies and forms):

These policies also include adoption leave.

Attending appointments during pregnancy

While pregnant you can take paid time off work for antenatal appointments your doctor, nurse or midwife recommends. This might include parenting or relaxation classes as well as medical appointments.

You have a right to this time off if you’re entitled to maternity leave. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been working for your employer or what hours you work. You should get your usual pay on a day when you go to an appointment. Your employer can’t make you work extra hours to make up for the time you’re away.

Pregnancy Related Sickness

If you're off sick because of your pregnancy

You can claim statutory sick pay until 4 weeks before your baby is due. Sickness related to pregnancy does not affect usual leave allowances.

You might also be able to get your maternity pay. If you go off sick in the last 4 weeks before your due date, your maternity leave and maternity pay will start.

Your doctor can tell you if you're ill because of your pregnancy.

You can’t be dismissed for having time off sick because of your pregnancy as you’re protected against discrimination while you’re pregnant. 

You can read more about sickness during pregnancy and maternity leave on the Maternity Action website.

If your sickness isn’t related to your pregnancy

If you’re sick and it’s got nothing to do with being pregnant, you can claim any sick pay you’re entitled to as usual. You’ll get sick pay until either:

the week the baby is due

the date you’ve chosen your maternity pay to start

Then you’ll start getting any maternity pay you’re entitled to.

Useful Resources