What Are Your Legal Rights While Pregnant At Work?

Employment law covers all aspects of working life, from initial contracts to termination. Within your place of work, you’re covered by a myriad of legal protections to ensure you’re not being exploited or mistreated, where this includes rights in case of pregnancy.

Once you inform your employer that you are pregnant, then you are entitled to various benefits and financial protections. Most notably, the Equality Act 2010 made it unlawful to discriminate against a worker due to pregnancy, where this means you should be provided with job security both before and after giving birth.

Read on to find out more about your legal rights if you’re pregnant at work.

Maternity Leave

If you’re a contracted employee, then you will be entitled to up to a year of maternity leave. This is distinct from maternity pay, which may be statutory or contractual depending on your employer. As such, you may be allowed to take an extended period of maternity leave with job security, but you may not be paid in full for your entire absence.

Appointments

You have a legal right to take time off for maternity appointments during pregnancy, where this covers both medical checkups and parenting classes. If you’re entitled to maternity leave then you will also qualify for paid appointment time, where your employer cannot make you work extra hours to cover this time away.

Health & Safety

Your employer should carry out a risk assessment once you have informed them of your pregnancy, where they need to inform you of your findings. Conditions such as long hours, prolonged periods of standing or heavy lifting could endanger your health, where it is your employer’s responsibility to make your working environment safe.

Adapted Conditions

If this risk assessment reveals that your working conditions are not safe, then there are three options that your employer can pursue:

1. Change of conditions - your working environment can be adapted to suit your health needs.

2. Different work - you can be provided with alternative tasks or a new working environment for the duration of your pregnancy.

3. Staying at home - if changes to your working environment can’t be made then you have the right to remain home with full pay.

These rights vary depending on your contract type and the length of time you’ve been employed, where it is best to confirm your legal standpoint before you proceed with a complaint.

PJE Solicitors: Discrimination & Employment Law Specialists

If you’re experiencing discrimination at work due to pregnancy then it may be worth seeking legal advice. Our employment law team can assist with unfair dismissals, harassment cases and contract issues, where we will support you every step of the way.

Speak to a solicitor today to find out more about your rights.