. As an employee you have the right to time off work for antenatal care which can include time off to attend antenatal classes. You have the right to be paid for this time off.
. Free dental treatment. You should see the dentist whilst you are pregnant as pregnancy can sometimes affect your teeth and gums.
. Free prescriptions. You are entitled to free prescriptions during pregnancy and up to a year after the baby is born.
. Child benefit. All women regardless of their employment status will receive child benefit once the baby is born.
. Maternity Leave. All employees are entitled to maternity leave. There are two types of maternity leave depending upon how long you have been working for your employer:
Ordinary maternity leave (OML) lasts for 26 weeks. It does not matter how long you have worked for your employer or how many hours you work you are entitled to ordinary maternity leave from day one.
Additional maternity leave (AML) lasts for 26 weeks and starts at the end of ordinary maternity leave. You can take additional maternity leave if you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due. You can start your leave up to 11 weeks before the baby is due or you can work right up to your due date. Your employer can trigger your leave if you are off sick with a pregnancy related illness in the last four weeks of your pregnancy.
. Statutory maternity pay. (SMP) lasts for 26 weeks. For the first 6 weeks you receive 90% of your average pay. After that you receive a basic rate of £102.80/week (or 90% of your average earnings if that is less) for 20 weeks. you are entitles to SMP if:
- You have been employed by your present employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of your qualifying week (the 15th week before your baby is due)
- You are still employed in the 15th week before your baby is due, even if you are off sick or only work part time.
- You receive at least £79/week before tax on average in the 8 weeks if you are paid weekly or 2 months if you are paid monthly before the end of your qualifying week
To claim SMP you must give you employer 28 days notice and give them your matb1 maternity certificate when you are about 20 weeks pregnant.
. Heathy start tokens for fruit, vegetables and vitamins