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Home > Resources > HR compliance > Pay and benefits compliance > Maternity pay – an employers guide
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Maternity pay – an employers guide

Explains how statutory maternity pay works, including eligibility, payment rates, and how long maternity pay can be claimed following childbirth.

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By Brightmine content team

This guide explains the entitlement of mothers to a maximum of 39 weeks of statutory maternity pay following the birth of their baby.

In this guide, learn about:

  • Right to statutory maternity pay
  • Rate of statutory maternity pay
  • Period of payment of statutory maternity pay
    • Premature births
    • Pregnancy-related illness or suspension
    • Resignation
  • Eligibility for statutory maternity pay
    • Qualifying week and continuous service
    • Average weekly earnings for statutory maternity pay
  • Notice and evidence for statutory maternity pay
  • Keeping-in-touch days and statutory maternity pay
  • Termination of employment and statutory maternity pay
  • Cases where no liability to pay statutory maternity pay
    • Working for another employer
  • Recovery of statutory maternity pay
  • Statutory maternity pay records
  • Maternity allowance
  • Contractual maternity pay
  • Remedies and penalties
    • Failure to meet statutory maternity pay obligations
  • Future developments
    • Proposed statutory maternity pay rate for 2026/2027
    • Review of parental leave and pay

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Latest updates

Updated to include the proposed rate of statutory maternity pay for 2026/2027. 

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