During pregnancy

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Your benefits, rights and responsibilities

The University provides a variety of benefits for mothers-to-be and new mothers, including University Maternity Pay for eligible members of staff.

When you know you are pregnant

Deciding when to tell your Head of Discipline/line manager that you are pregnant is a personal decision, but you must inform your employer (and your HR Business Partner) by the 15th week before your baby is due (eg by approx 25 weeks' pregnant) in order to qualify for maternity leave and pay. However, the laws which protect you at work whilst pregnant only apply once your employer knows that you are pregnant.

Once your Head of Discipline/line manager knows that you are pregnant:

• you are entitled to have paid time off to keep appointments for antenatal care, including reasonable time for relaxation or parentcraft classes. Please try, whenever possible, to arrange appointments at times which cause the minimum disruption to work or other work colleagues. If your manager or supervisor requests it, you should provide a certificate confirming your pregnancy, your appointment card, or some other documentary evidence, other than for your first appointment.
• you are protected from unfair treatment connected with your pregnancy.

Adoption

If you are adopting a child, please visit the section on Adoption leave for more details.