Ordinary maternity leave (OML)

Do I have to give notice of my return?
You do not need to give any notice of return if you are going back to work at the end of your leave ordinary maternity (26 weeks from the day you began your leave). You simply go to work on the day that you are due back. NOTE: If you are entitled to additional maternity leave (a further 26 weeks leave) you must give notice to return to work early if you do not wish to take your AML.

If you want to return to work early you must give your employer 28 days’ notice of the date you will be returning. If you do not give this notice and just turn up at work before the end of the 26 week period, your employer can send you away for 28 days or until the end of your 26 weeks’ leave, whichever is earlier.

What happens when I go back?
When you go back it will be to exactly the same job.

The law does not allow you to work for two weeks after childbirth and this period is known as Compulsory Maternity Leave. You will not be allowed to return to work during this time.

You can’t stay on maternity leave after the end of your OML, unless this has been agreed with your employer. You should ask your employer to confirm this agreement in writing.

To extend your time off, you may want to add some unpaid Parental Leave to your ordinary maternity leave.

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

They have a selection of leaflets on the following topics:

• Agency workers - rights for parents (£1)
• Temporary, casual and sessional workers - rights for parents (£1)
• Self-employed - rights for parents (£1)
• Premature births (£1)
• Working for a small employer (under 6 employees) (£1)
• Rights during maternity leave and Pension rights (£1)
• Redundancy (free)
• Returning to work (£1)
• Child-friendly working hours (£2)
• Time off for working parents (£2)