The law does not currently require employers to include details in your contract of statutory entitlement to different types of parental leave and pay, including maternity leave.
Normally, however, there will be a separate document setting out these rights, especially if your employer provides contractual benefits that are better than the statutory minimum.
From April 2020, the law is set to change. From that date, employers will be required to provide a single document to all workers (not just employees) from the first day of the job that includes details of all contractual leave rights, such as your right to maternity leave and pay.
Maternity regulations are complex and can be difficult to understand. There are several sources of information:
- your trade union if you are a member of one;
- your HR manager;
- GOV.UK;
- Acas;
- the Equality and Human Rights Commission;
- your local Citizens Advice or Law Centre; and
- specialist charities such as Maternity Action or Working Families.
