{"id":15572,"date":"2026-02-11T12:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T12:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=15572"},"modified":"2026-03-16T19:00:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T19:00:36","slug":"maternity-leave","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/","title":{"rendered":"Maternity leave"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"\">By <strong><strong>Jo Broadbent<\/strong><\/strong> <strong>|<\/strong> Brightmine editor:<strong> Laura Merrylees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This guide explains the statutory entitlement for pregnant employees and mothers to take up to 52 weeks&#8217; maternity leave following the birth of a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sign up today to get:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Right to maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Notice of intention to take maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer&#8217;s response to notification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Cancelling or varying maternity leave start date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Stillbirths and pregnancy loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Commencement of maternity leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Premature births<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Pregnancy-related illness or suspension<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Compulsory maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Keeping in touch during maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Statutory rights during maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Right to return after maternity leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">What counts as the same job<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Early return to work\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Early return and shared parental leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Practical examples of early return to work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Requests to return part time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Detrimental treatment or dismissal related to maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Written statement of reasons for dismissal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Redundancy during pregnancy, or during\/after maternity leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Time off for antenatal care appointments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Health and safety requirements for pregnant women and new mothers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Protection against discrimination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Future developments\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Strengthened protections against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Review of parental leave and pay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For full access to Maternity leave, sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0b691c38 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Updated to reflect that the Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad1af2a0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-ea1fff98 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16791 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-c-and-i category-news topic-employment-law-updates\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employment-law-updates\/employment-rights-act-era-changes-implemented-so-far\/\" target=\"_self\" >The ERA era: The changes implemented so far<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16761 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-events\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/meet-brightmine-at-the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" >Meet Brightmine at the HR Consultancy Festival 2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16740 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-webinars topic-hr-strategy topic-pay-equity topic-pay-trends topic-total-rewards\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-and-labour-market-update-june-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" >Pay and labour market update, June 2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b7a3f7f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-0484fa35224e98f80ca9838dbde355cd wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-black-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter   \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employment-law-updates\/employment-rights-act-era-changes-implemented-so-far\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/09090759\/colleagues-reviewing-information-together-on-laptop-in-office.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Commentary and Insights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Company News<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employment-law-updates\/employment-rights-act-era-changes-implemented-so-far\/\">The ERA era: The changes implemented so far<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced the most significant changes to UK employment law in decades, but its &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/meet-brightmine-at-the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/30162023\/85df4ac3-9531-4f03-b807-9874a3ddf4c5_80_1_20.jpeg);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Events<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/meet-brightmine-at-the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026\/\">Meet Brightmine at the HR Consultancy Festival 2026<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Brightmine is sponsoring and attending the HR Consultancy Festival 2026, a one\u2011day event bringing together HR consultants, practitioners &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-and-labour-market-update-june-2026\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/24082035\/hr-manager-using-brightmine-pay-equity-analytics.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Webinars<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-and-labour-market-update-june-2026\/\">Pay and labour market update, June 2026<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Learn how to build transparent reward frameworks that promote fairness, consistency and employee trust across pay and total &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:clamp(17.905px, 1.119rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.383), 28px);\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-658170e2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"148\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/05210433\/broadbent_jo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15691\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:500px;border-top-right-radius:500px;border-bottom-left-radius:500px;border-bottom-right-radius:500px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Jo Broadbent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Counsel Knowledge Lawyer, Hogan Lovells<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Jo Broadbent is a counsel knowledge lawyer in the employment team at law firm&nbsp;Hogan Lovells. In addition to keeping clients and the team up to date with legal developments, she has extensive experience of developing and presenting internal and external client training courses and workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Jo is a former chair of the Employment Lawyers Association training committee. She is a co-author of the book &#8220;Informing and consulting employees: the new law&#8221; and frequently writes articles for the HR and legal press. She has a particular interest in shared parental leave and other family-friendly rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:clamp(17.905px, 1.119rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.383), 28px);\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-658170e2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/12085308\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-313\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:500px;border-top-right-radius:500px;border-bottom-left-radius:500px;border-bottom-right-radius:500px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Laura Merrylees<\/strong>, Senior Legal Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Having qualified as a solicitor in private practice, Senior Legal Editor Laura Merrylees spent fourteen years working in-house for a large telecommunications organisation, specialising in employment law. Laura advised on a broad range of employment law matters, both contentious and advisory. During her time in practice, Laura worked closely with HR professionals and senior management and delivered training to HR teams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0fd240ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"newsletter\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Sign up to receive expert HR insights from Brightmine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebe15cfa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Join our community and stay updated with industry trends, expert insights, valuable resources, webinar invites\u2026 and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Sign up now and receive regular updates straight to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-contact-form-7-contact-form-selector is-style-flex-layout\" redirectaftersubmission=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/thank-you-insights-email\/\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f10351-o1\" lang=\"none\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"10351\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/15572#wpcf7-f10351-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"10351\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f10351-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_title\" value=\"Newsletter\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqFormName\" value=\"sparknewsletter\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqFormName\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqSiteID\" value=\"1006146\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqSiteID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"sfid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"sfid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"cmpid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmpid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCookieWrite\" value=\"0\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCookieWrite\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCustomerGUID\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCustomerGUID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden a-s-text\" id=\"a-s-text\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"a-s-text\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Market\" value=\"UK\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Market\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Website\" value=\"Website\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Website\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_source\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_source\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_medium\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_medium\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_campaign\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_campaign\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content_type\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content_type\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Source\" \/>\n\n<div class=\"c-grid  form-fields\">\n<div class=\"form-inputs-container\">\n<div class=\"inputs-container\">\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"firstName\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"35\" minlength=\"2\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"FirstName\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"EmailAddress\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"320\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Business email address\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"EmailAddress\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Country\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"Country\"><option value=\"\">Your country \/ region<\/option><option value=\"United Kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/option><option value=\"United States\">United States<\/option><option value=\"Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/option><option value=\"Aland Islands\">Aland Islands<\/option><option value=\"Albania\">Albania<\/option><option value=\"Algeria\">Algeria<\/option><option value=\"American Samoa\">American Samoa<\/option><option value=\"Andorra\">Andorra<\/option><option value=\"Angola\">Angola<\/option><option value=\"Anguilla\">Anguilla<\/option><option value=\"Antarctica\">Antarctica<\/option><option value=\"Antigua and Barbuda\">Antigua and Barbuda<\/option><option value=\"Argentina\">Argentina<\/option><option value=\"Armenia\">Armenia<\/option><option value=\"Aruba\">Aruba<\/option><option value=\"Australia\">Australia<\/option><option value=\"Austria\">Austria<\/option><option value=\"Azerbaijan\">Azerbaijan<\/option><option value=\"Bahamas\">Bahamas<\/option><option value=\"Bahrain\">Bahrain<\/option><option value=\"Bangladesh\">Bangladesh<\/option><option value=\"Barbados\">Barbados<\/option><option value=\"Belarus\">Belarus<\/option><option value=\"Belgium\">Belgium<\/option><option value=\"Belize\">Belize<\/option><option value=\"Benin\">Benin<\/option><option value=\"Bermuda\">Bermuda<\/option><option value=\"Bhutan\">Bhutan<\/option><option value=\"Bolivia, Plurinational State\">Bolivia, Plurinational State<\/option><option value=\"Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba\">Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba<\/option><option value=\"Bosnia and Herzegovina\">Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/option><option value=\"Botswana\">Botswana<\/option><option value=\"Bouvet Island\">Bouvet Island<\/option><option value=\"Brazil\">Brazil<\/option><option value=\"British Indian Ocean Territory\">British Indian Ocean Territory<\/option><option value=\"Brunei\n    Darussalam\">Brunei\n    Darussalam<\/option><option value=\"Bulgaria\">Bulgaria<\/option><option value=\"Burkina Faso\">Burkina Faso<\/option><option value=\"Burundi\">Burundi<\/option><option value=\"Cambodia\">Cambodia<\/option><option value=\"Cameroon\">Cameroon<\/option><option value=\"Canada\">Canada<\/option><option value=\"Cape Verde\">Cape Verde<\/option><option value=\"Cayman Islands\">Cayman Islands<\/option><option value=\"Central African Republic\">Central African Republic<\/option><option value=\"Chad\">Chad<\/option><option value=\"Chile\">Chile<\/option><option value=\"China\">China<\/option><option value=\"Christmas Island\">Christmas Island<\/option><option value=\"Cocos (Keeling) Islands\">Cocos (Keeling) Islands<\/option><option value=\"Colombia\">Colombia<\/option><option value=\"Comoros\">Comoros<\/option><option value=\"Congo\">Congo<\/option><option value=\"Congo, the Democratic Republic of the\">Congo, the Democratic Republic of the<\/option><option value=\"Cook Islands\">Cook Islands<\/option><option value=\"Costa Rica\">Costa Rica<\/option><option value=\"Cote d&#039;Ivoire\">Cote d&#039;Ivoire<\/option><option value=\"Croatia\">Croatia<\/option><option value=\"Cuba\">Cuba<\/option><option value=\"Cura\u00e7ao\">Cura\u00e7ao<\/option><option value=\"Cyprus\">Cyprus<\/option><option value=\"Czech\n    Republic\">Czech\n    Republic<\/option><option value=\"Denmark\">Denmark<\/option><option value=\"Djibouti\">Djibouti<\/option><option value=\"Dominica\">Dominica<\/option><option value=\"Dominican Republic\">Dominican Republic<\/option><option value=\"Ecuador\">Ecuador<\/option><option value=\"Egypt\">Egypt<\/option><option value=\"El Salvador\">El Salvador<\/option><option value=\"Equatorial Guinea\">Equatorial Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Eritrea\">Eritrea<\/option><option value=\"Estonia\">Estonia<\/option><option value=\"Eswatini\">Eswatini<\/option><option value=\"Ethiopia\">Ethiopia<\/option><option value=\"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)\">Falkland Islands (Malvinas)<\/option><option value=\"Faroe Islands\">Faroe Islands<\/option><option value=\"Fiji\">Fiji<\/option><option value=\"Finland\">Finland<\/option><option value=\"France\">France<\/option><option value=\"French Guiana\">French Guiana<\/option><option value=\"French Polynesia\">French Polynesia<\/option><option value=\"French Southern Territories\">French Southern Territories<\/option><option value=\"Gabon\">Gabon<\/option><option value=\"Gambia\">Gambia<\/option><option value=\"Georgia\">Georgia<\/option><option value=\"Germany\">Germany<\/option><option value=\"Ghana\">Ghana<\/option><option value=\"Gibraltar\">Gibraltar<\/option><option value=\"Greece\">Greece<\/option><option value=\"Greenland\">Greenland<\/option><option value=\"Grenada\">Grenada<\/option><option value=\"Guadeloupe\">Guadeloupe<\/option><option value=\"Guam\">Guam<\/option><option value=\"Guatemala\">Guatemala<\/option><option value=\"Guernsey\">Guernsey<\/option><option value=\"Guinea\">Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Guinea-Bissau\">Guinea-Bissau<\/option><option value=\"Guyana\">Guyana<\/option><option value=\"Haiti\">Haiti<\/option><option value=\"Heard Island and McDonald Islands\">Heard Island and McDonald Islands<\/option><option value=\"Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)\">Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)<\/option><option value=\"Honduras\">Honduras<\/option><option value=\"Hong Kong\">Hong Kong<\/option><option value=\"Hungary\">Hungary<\/option><option value=\"Iceland\">Iceland<\/option><option value=\"India\">India<\/option><option value=\"Indonesia\">Indonesia<\/option><option value=\"Iran, Islamic Republic of\">Iran, Islamic Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Iraq\">Iraq<\/option><option value=\"Ireland\">Ireland<\/option><option value=\"Isle of Man\">Isle of Man<\/option><option value=\"Israel\">Israel<\/option><option value=\"Italy\">Italy<\/option><option value=\"Jamaica\">Jamaica<\/option><option value=\"Japan\">Japan<\/option><option value=\"Jersey\">Jersey<\/option><option value=\"Jordan\">Jordan<\/option><option value=\"Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/option><option value=\"Kenya\">Kenya<\/option><option value=\"Kiribati\">Kiribati<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of\">Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Republic of\">Korea, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Kosovo\">Kosovo<\/option><option value=\"Kuwait\">Kuwait<\/option><option value=\"Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/option><option value=\"Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic\">Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic<\/option><option value=\"Latvia\">Latvia<\/option><option value=\"Lebanon\">Lebanon<\/option><option value=\"Lesotho\">Lesotho<\/option><option value=\"Liberia\">Liberia<\/option><option value=\"Libyan Arab Jamahiriya\">Libyan Arab Jamahiriya<\/option><option value=\"Liechtenstein\">Liechtenstein<\/option><option value=\"Lithuania\">Lithuania<\/option><option value=\"Luxembourg\">Luxembourg<\/option><option value=\"Macao\">Macao<\/option><option value=\"Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of\">Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of<\/option><option value=\"Madagascar\">Madagascar<\/option><option value=\"Malawi\">Malawi<\/option><option value=\"Malaysia\">Malaysia<\/option><option value=\"Maldives\">Maldives<\/option><option value=\"Mali\">Mali<\/option><option value=\"Malta\">Malta<\/option><option value=\"Marshall\n    Islands\">Marshall\n    Islands<\/option><option value=\"Martinique\">Martinique<\/option><option value=\"Mauritania\">Mauritania<\/option><option value=\"Mauritius\">Mauritius<\/option><option value=\"Mayotte\">Mayotte<\/option><option value=\"Mexico\">Mexico<\/option><option value=\"Micronesia\">Micronesia<\/option><option value=\"Moldova, Republic of\">Moldova, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Monaco\">Monaco<\/option><option value=\"Mongolia\">Mongolia<\/option><option value=\"Montenegro\">Montenegro<\/option><option value=\"Montserrat\">Montserrat<\/option><option value=\"Morocco\">Morocco<\/option><option value=\"Mozambique\">Mozambique<\/option><option value=\"Myanmar\">Myanmar<\/option><option value=\"Namibia\">Namibia<\/option><option value=\"Nauru\">Nauru<\/option><option value=\"Nepal\">Nepal<\/option><option value=\"Netherlands\">Netherlands<\/option><option value=\"New Caledonia\">New Caledonia<\/option><option value=\"New Zealand\">New Zealand<\/option><option value=\"Nicaragua\">Nicaragua<\/option><option value=\"Niger\">Niger<\/option><option value=\"Nigeria\">Nigeria<\/option><option value=\"Niue\">Niue<\/option><option value=\"Norfolk Island\">Norfolk Island<\/option><option value=\"Northern Mariana Islands\">Northern Mariana Islands<\/option><option value=\"Norway\">Norway<\/option><option value=\"Oman\">Oman<\/option><option value=\"Pakistan\">Pakistan<\/option><option value=\"Palau\">Palau<\/option><option value=\"Palestinian Territory, Occupied\">Palestinian Territory, Occupied<\/option><option value=\"Panama\">Panama<\/option><option value=\"Papua New\n    Guinea\">Papua New\n    Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Paraguay\">Paraguay<\/option><option value=\"Peru\">Peru<\/option><option value=\"Philippines\">Philippines<\/option><option value=\"Pitcairn\">Pitcairn<\/option><option value=\"Poland\">Poland<\/option><option value=\"Portugal\">Portugal<\/option><option value=\"Puerto Rico\">Puerto Rico<\/option><option value=\"Qatar\">Qatar<\/option><option value=\"Reunion\">Reunion<\/option><option value=\"Romania\">Romania<\/option><option value=\"Russian Federation\">Russian Federation<\/option><option value=\"Rwanda\">Rwanda<\/option><option value=\"Saint Barth\u00e9lemy\">Saint Barth\u00e9lemy<\/option><option value=\"Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha\">Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha<\/option><option value=\"Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis\">Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis<\/option><option value=\"Saint Lucia\">Saint Lucia<\/option><option value=\"Saint Martin (French part)\">Saint Martin (French part)<\/option><option value=\"Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon\">Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon<\/option><option value=\"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines\">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<\/option><option value=\"Samoa\">Samoa<\/option><option value=\"San Marino\">San Marino<\/option><option value=\"Sao\n    Tome and Principe\">Sao\n    Tome and Principe<\/option><option value=\"Saudi Arabia\">Saudi Arabia<\/option><option value=\"Senegal\">Senegal<\/option><option value=\"Serbia\">Serbia<\/option><option value=\"Seychelles\">Seychelles<\/option><option value=\"Sierra\n    Leone\">Sierra\n    Leone<\/option><option value=\"Singapore\">Singapore<\/option><option value=\"Sint Maarten (Dutch part)\">Sint Maarten (Dutch part)<\/option><option value=\"Slovakia\">Slovakia<\/option><option value=\"Slovenia\">Slovenia<\/option><option value=\"Solomon Islands\">Solomon Islands<\/option><option value=\"Somalia\">Somalia<\/option><option value=\"South Africa\">South Africa<\/option><option value=\"South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands\">South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands<\/option><option value=\"South Sudan\">South Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Spain\">Spain<\/option><option value=\"Sri Lanka\">Sri Lanka<\/option><option value=\"Sudan\">Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Suriname\">Suriname<\/option><option value=\"Svalbard and Jan Mayen\">Svalbard and Jan Mayen<\/option><option value=\"Sweden\">Sweden<\/option><option value=\"Switzerland\">Switzerland<\/option><option value=\"Syrian Arab Republic\">Syrian Arab Republic<\/option><option value=\"Taiwan\">Taiwan<\/option><option value=\"Tajikistan\">Tajikistan<\/option><option value=\"Tanzania, United Republic of\">Tanzania, United Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Thailand\">Thailand<\/option><option value=\"Timor-Leste\">Timor-Leste<\/option><option value=\"Togo\">Togo<\/option><option value=\"Tokelau\">Tokelau<\/option><option value=\"Tonga\">Tonga<\/option><option value=\"Trinidad and Tobago\">Trinidad and Tobago<\/option><option value=\"Tunisia\">Tunisia<\/option><option value=\"Turkey\">Turkey<\/option><option value=\"Turkmenistan\">Turkmenistan<\/option><option value=\"Turks and Caicos Islands\">Turks and Caicos Islands<\/option><option value=\"Tuvalu\">Tuvalu<\/option><option value=\"Uganda\">Uganda<\/option><option value=\"Ukraine\">Ukraine<\/option><option value=\"United Arab Emirates\">United Arab Emirates<\/option><option value=\"United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands\">United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands<\/option><option value=\"Uruguay\">Uruguay<\/option><option value=\"Uzbekistan\">Uzbekistan<\/option><option value=\"Vanuatu\">Vanuatu<\/option><option value=\"Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of\">Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Viet Nam\">Viet Nam<\/option><option value=\"Virgin Islands, British\">Virgin Islands, British<\/option><option value=\"Wallis and\n    Futuna\">Wallis and\n    Futuna<\/option><option value=\"Western Sahara\">Western Sahara<\/option><option value=\"Yemen\">Yemen<\/option><option value=\"Zambia\">Zambia<\/option><option value=\"Zimbabwe\">Zimbabwe<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"form-submit\">\n<button type=\"submit\" id=\"contact-us-submit-button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\">Get our latest updates<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n*<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">Brightmine<\/a> is a tradename of <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/\" target=\"_blank\">LexisNexis Risk Solutions<\/a>. By registering your details, you understand that your personal data will be handled according to our <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. \n<\/p><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"client_id\" class=\"client_id\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel5\" name=\"Telephone5\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"2S0OI3\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel6\" name=\"Telephone6\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"DduwX4\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel7\" name=\"Telephone7\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"8ihsaF\"><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A guide to statutory maternity leave, setting out employee entitlements, employer obligations and protections for pregnant employees and new mothers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":15597,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[12],"tags":[],"topic":[30],"class_list":["post-15572","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-how-to","topic-absence-management"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Maternity leave | Brightmine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Maternity leave | Brightmine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brightmine UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"627\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WeAreBrightmine\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jake Orlando\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/3c0bab9fbb4e89f035a084d791954c36\"},\"headline\":\"Maternity leave\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-11T12:37:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\"},\"wordCount\":229,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Guides - How to\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\",\"name\":\"Maternity leave | Brightmine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-11T12:37:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00\",\"description\":\"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":627,\"caption\":\"Individual sitting at an office desk, holding a phone to the ear with one hand and resting the other hand on the abdomen, with a laptop and documents on the desk.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"HR compliance\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Absence management\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Maternity leave\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\",\"name\":\"Brightmine UK\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Brightmine\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/07092215\/Brightmine-logo_Full-color_Primary.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/07092215\/Brightmine-logo_Full-color_Primary.webp\",\"width\":1941,\"height\":508,\"caption\":\"Brightmine\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/x.com\/WeAreBrightmine\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brightmine\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@WeAreBrightmine\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/3c0bab9fbb4e89f035a084d791954c36\",\"name\":\"Jake Orlando\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6cad3b0b0caf6c78c79c48f8191378fb16f1acafc3db8530fdaaa25c9fabd4d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6cad3b0b0caf6c78c79c48f8191378fb16f1acafc3db8530fdaaa25c9fabd4d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jake Orlando\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/author\/jake-orlando\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Maternity leave | Brightmine","description":"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Maternity leave | Brightmine","og_description":"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/","og_site_name":"Brightmine UK","article_modified_time":"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":627,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@WeAreBrightmine","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/"},"author":{"name":"Jake Orlando","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/3c0bab9fbb4e89f035a084d791954c36"},"headline":"Maternity leave","datePublished":"2026-02-11T12:37:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/"},"wordCount":229,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp","articleSection":["Guides - How to"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/","url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/","name":"Maternity leave | Brightmine","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp","datePublished":"2026-02-11T12:37:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-16T19:00:36+00:00","description":"Employment law guide covering maternity leave entitlements, employer duties, protection against discrimination and return\u2011to\u2011work rights.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/03080227\/person-on-phone-while-sitting-at-office-desk-with-hand-on-abdomen.webp","width":1200,"height":627,"caption":"Individual sitting at an office desk, holding a phone to the ear with one hand and resting the other hand on the abdomen, with a laptop and documents on the desk."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/maternity-leave\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"HR compliance","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Absence management","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Maternity leave"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/","name":"Brightmine UK","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#organization","name":"Brightmine","url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/07092215\/Brightmine-logo_Full-color_Primary.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/07092215\/Brightmine-logo_Full-color_Primary.webp","width":1941,"height":508,"caption":"Brightmine"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/WeAreBrightmine","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brightmine\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@WeAreBrightmine"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/3c0bab9fbb4e89f035a084d791954c36","name":"Jake Orlando","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6cad3b0b0caf6c78c79c48f8191378fb16f1acafc3db8530fdaaa25c9fabd4d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6cad3b0b0caf6c78c79c48f8191378fb16f1acafc3db8530fdaaa25c9fabd4d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jake Orlando"},"url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/author\/jake-orlando\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/15572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resources"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15572"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=15572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}