Who qualifies for statutory maternity
rights?
With a few exceptions, all pregnant
women are entitled to 18 weeks maternity
leave, but when it comes to pay
entitlement, it depends on how long she
has worked for her employer. If she is
not entitled to the statutary pay, she
might be able to claim contractually. If
she falls outside both of these groups
she may be able to claim Maternity
Allowance from the Benefits Agency. A
longer period of 40 weeks leave is
available if she has been working for
the same employer for one year and three
months by the time the baby is due. 21
days before taking leave: she must tell
her boss that she is pregnant; when the
baby is due; and when she wants to take
the first day of maternity leave.
