Mix & match - your other rights in pregnancy

Parental leave and time off for dependants
The parents of every child born on or after 15 December 1999 are entitled to take up to 13 weeks’ unpaid leave per parent per child, up until the child’s 5th birthday. This leave is also available for parents who adopt a child.

Paternity leave
Working fathers are now entitled to two weeks paid leave around the birth of a baby. They'll get £102.80 per week and from 2003 adoptive parents will also qualify for paid leave.

Time off for dependants
Every worker is entitled to unpaid leave to care for a dependant who falls ill, gives birth or is injured. The leave can also be used if there is a sudden problem with arrangements for care of the dependant (e.g. if your childminder falls ill).

For more information on parental leave, paternity leave and time off for dependants send £2 and an A5 SAE for the Maternity Alliance leaflet Time off for Working Parents.

Benefits
All pregnant women and new mothers are entitled to free prescriptions and free NHS dental care. Once your baby is born you will also be entitled to claim Child Benefit. Working Families Tax Credits is to top up the incomes of working parents. The amount you get depends on how much you earn and on how many children you have.

Sickness
You have special rights if sick during pregnancy, maternity leave and on return to work. For more information, pelase send £1 and an SAE for the Maternity Alliance leaflet Sickness During Pregnancy and Maternity Leave.

Job interviews
You do not have to tell a future employer you are pregnant when you go for a job interview. The fact that you are pregnant should not have any bearing on whether you are the right person for the job.

Need More Help?
If you need more detailed information on any of the topics mentioned here, please send for the relevant leaflets.

If you are having trouble settling a dispute with your employer, you may want to get further advice. See our leaflet Next Steps. For more detailed information see the publications page on the Maternity Alliance website. You may find the following leaflets of interest:

• Pregnant at work - rights for working parents - £2
• Time off for antenatal care - £1
• Health and safety at work - £1
• Taking your case to an Employment Tribunal - £1
• Redundancy - free
• Returning to work - £1
• Having it all - your guide to breastfeeding and work - £2.50
• Child-friendly working hours - £1
• Time off for working parents - £2
• Money for Mothers and Babies - free guide to benefits
• Sickness during pregnancy and maternity leave - £1
• Job interviews - and starting a new job during pregnancy - £1
• Giving notice for maternity and parental rights - £1

For more information about working parents’ rights see the Maternity Alliance website.

Or contact THE MATERNITY ALLIANCE,
2-6 Northburgh Street, London EC1V 0AY
Information line 020 7490 7638