Managers guide to maternity leave
Our Guide to Managing Maternity Leave streamlines the complex process, ensuring compliance and smooth transitions for both employees and managers.
- 2 pages / 562 words.
- Last updated 08/03/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Managers guide to maternity leave
Introduction
Maternity leave is a vital benefit that empowers employees to take time off work for the care of their newborns. As a manager, comprehending your legal and ethical responsibilities is vital. This comprehensive guide will not only demystify the maternity leave process but also provide valuable insights on how to proactively support your employees throughout this significant phase of their lives.
Eligibility
All pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave, irrespective of their length of service or working hours. To meet eligibility criteria, employees must duly inform you about their intention to take maternity leave, provide legitimate evidence of their pregnancy, and confirm the anticipated due date. Moreover, they should have maintained continuous employment for at least 26 weeks by the conclusion of the 15th week preceding the expected week of childbirth.
Duration
Maternity leave encompasses a period of up to 52 weeks. Thid is made up of 26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML), and 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave (AML). Employees can commence leave up to
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The purpose of a guide to managing maternity leave is to provide managers with a comprehensive understanding of their responsibilities in supporting employees who are taking maternity leave.
It aims to provide guidance on how to manage and support employees through the process of taking maternity leave, while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and company policies.
It also helps managers to understand the potential impact of maternity leave on team dynamics and to prepare for managing the workload during the employee's absence.
Compliance
Compliance
This Managers guide to maternity leave incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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The Maternity and Parental Leave etc Regulations 1999, which set out the minimum amount of maternity leave that must be provided to employees.
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The Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination against employees based on pregnancy or maternity.
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The Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay Regulations 1987, which provide the framework for maternity pay entitlements.
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The Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014, which allow eligible employees to share leave and pay with their partner following the birth or adoption of a child.
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The Employment Rights Act 1996, which provides employees with the right to return to their job after maternity leave.
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The Flexible Working Regulations 2014, which provide eligible employees with the right to request flexible working arrangements, including changes to their working hours, location, or job duties, to support their work-life balance.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Managers guide to maternity leave, to understand the workflow.
Pregnancy notification checklist form
Our pregnancy notification checklist is designed to guide managers through key steps when an employee notifies them verbally of their pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Managers guide to maternity leave is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
