Search all content on GOV.UK

Employers’ guide to the right for employees entitled to take unpaid time off work to accompany a pregnant woman to antenatal appointments.

• Updated: 8 September 2014

Legal rights for pregnant employees - including paid time off for antenatal appointments, maternity leave and pay, protection against discrimination and telling the employer about the pregnancy.

Your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Leave - what you get, how to claim, maternity rights and extra help

• Overview

  When you take time off to have a baby you might be eligible for: Statutory…

• Leave

  Statutory Maternity Leave is 52 weeks. It’s made up of: Ordinary Maternity…

• Pay

  Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get: 90% of…

• Eligibility

  Statutory Maternity Leave You qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave if:…

• How to claim

  Statutory Maternity Leave At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell…

• Extra help

  Maternity benefits Use a benefits calculator to see what help you can get…

Guidance for employees and employers: employment rights when on maternity, paternity, adoption, neonatal care or parental bereavement leave - keeping in touch days, annual leave, returning to work, redundancy.

How to support women and other people who are pregnant to reduce or stop their alcohol use to reduce risks for the fetus and mother. It covers information and advice, multi-agency care planning, specialist treatment for alcohol dependence and support...

• Updated: 28 November 2025

• Updated: 1 January 2005

• Updated: 6 March 2026

• Updated: 23 June 2025

Your Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave - eligibility, what you get, how to claim.

Employer guide to Statutory Paternity Pay or Leave - entitlement, eligibility, notice period, forms SC3 and SPP1, recover statutory pay.