Maternity Leave (Antenatal Appointments)
All pregnant employees (regardless of length of service) are legally entitled to paid time-off to attend antenatal appointments and classes.
In order to avoid any misunderstanding as to how much time and what an employee is entitled to, an employer is well advised to outline to pregnant employees what is expected from them in order for the company to accommodate the employee's request for time off work.
With this in mind, this letter helps an employer:
- Confirm receipt of an application to attend appointments and classes.
- Ask for evidence of antenatal appointments.
- Confirm a request to take paid time off work.
- Request confirmation the employee is having a baby (form MATB1).
- Confirm an employee's legal rights.
- Outline who normally provides the form MATB1.
- Set a date by when you normally expect to receive a form MATB1.
- Outline when appointments should be arranged to limit disruption.
- Remind employees to attend work before and after appointments.
- Arrange a job risk assessment.
- Confirm salary payments whilst off work.
- Outline paperwork required in order to receive pay and time off.