The Employment Law & HR Podcast
Parental Rights Series: Episode 2 - Maternity & Adoption Leave & Pay

Employee Rights to Maternity Leave & Pay and Adoption Leave & Pay

This is a mini series focusing on family rights at work and the considerations which apply with regards to employees who are parents/will be parents. In this second episode in the series I bring you details about maternity leave and maternity pay and adoption leave and adoption pay. The rights in terms of maternity and adoption are very similar.

In this episode I will cover:

  • An employer's legal obligation to reply to an employee within 28 days of receipt of the start date for their maternity or adoption leave.
  • The right of all employees to maternity leave.
  • The length of maternity leave.
  • Employee's rights during maternity leave.
  • The qualifying criteria for statutory maternity pay.
  • The right of all employees to adoption leave.
  • How adoption leave works when a couple are adopting.
  • The length of adoption leave.
  • Employee's rights during adoption leave.
  • The qualifying criteria for statutory adoption pay.
  • Communication with an employee during maternity or adoption leave.
  • Keeping in Touch (KIT) days for employees on maternity or adoption leave.

Action Points

  1. Ensure you respond within 28 days to an employee who informs you of their intention to take maternity or adoption leave;
  2. Check you understand that basic requirements for an employee who wants to take maternity or adoption leave;
  3. Check your contracts and any handbook to establish whether employees have any entitlement to enhanced pay when on maternity or adoption leave;
  4. Seek advice if you have an unusual situation or you are not sure what to do. You can contact me by email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or phone 023 8098 2006 or 01983 897003 if you would like to discuss.
 

 The Guardian Article

The Employment Law & HR Podcast was recently featured in an article on the Guardian online. You can read the full article here

Featured in:
guardian

 

Direct download: Episode_68.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:27pm EDT

Family Rights at Work: Episode 1 Pregnancy

Employers Obligations: Pregnancy Notification

In this weeks' episode I bring you the first episode in a mini series focusing on family rights at work and the considerations which apply with regards to employees who are parents/will be parents.

In this episode I will cover:

  • When an employee is legally obliged to inform you they are pregnant.
  • The notification process and information an employee must provide.
  • Guidance on how to handle the situation the right way when an employee tells you they are pregnant.
  • When to carry out a Health & Safety Risk Assessment.
  • What to tell an employee who is pregnant.
  • An employees right to time off for antenatal appointments.
  • A 'Qualifying' employees right to time off to accompany a pregnant lady to an antenatal appointment
  • Additional protection & rights for pregnant employees.

Action Points

  1. Check your staff handbook or policies to ensure it includes a pregnancy and maternity leave policy;
  2. Ensure your general risk assessment includes an assessment of risk and mitigation of risks for pregnant employees generally;
  3. Ensure that your general health and safety risk assessment is up to date;
  4. Seek advice before refusing time off for antenatal appointments you can contact me by email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or phone 023 8098 2006 or 01983 897003 if you would like to discuss.
 

 The Guardian Article

The Employment Law & HR Podcast was recently featured in an article on the Guardian online. You can read the full article here

Featured in:
guardian

 Getting advice from a Solicitor does not need to be expensive or painful!

Direct download: Episode_67.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:24am EDT

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