Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights

The Directgov website provides an interactive tool for guidance on your employment rights when a child is born or adopted. You will get a personalised statement of your rights and responsibilities, which you can print out to read later. You will also be able to use an interactive calendar to help plan your leave.

Maternity rights and responsibilities (external link) - The rights a pregnant worker may get include paid time off for antenatal care and up to a year’s maternity leave.

Adoption rights and responsibilities (external link) - When a child is adopted, the adopter (or one member of an adopting couple) may be entitled to rights such as paid adoption leave. The partner of the adopter (or other member of the couple) may be able to take paternity leave.

Paternity rights and responsibilities - Rights such as paid paternity leave may be available when a child is born or adopted. For example, the father of a newborn baby may qualify for leave to look after the mother and child. Despite the name, paternity leave can be taken by a man or a woman.  The also provide a tool for Paternity rights and responsibilities in the case of adoption (external link)