Any entitlement to pay during the waiting days or to a top-up from your SSP to full pay depends entirely on the employment contract. Temporary workers on rolling contracts of a month or under also get SSP if they have been working for more than three months. If you are a temporary worker in this situation and are not getting SSP, contact your GMB representative .

If an employer threatens to dismiss you for sickness contact your GMB representative .
* with effect from April 2001

PREGNANCY
Your employer is legally obliged to carry out a general risk assessment in any workplace where there are employees who could potentially become pregnant.

If you are pregnant you are protected against dismissal for that reason during pregnancy and while on maternity leave.

You will get 14 weeks’ ordinary maternity leave provided you notify your employer at least 21 days before you intend to begin your maternity leave and it doesn’t matter how long you have worked or for how many hours a week. From 15th December 1999 the 14 weeks’ leave will rise to 18 weeks. Additionally, if you hove been working for the same employer for a year by the 12th week before your baby is due, you will be entitled to additional maternity leave. This amounts to up to 11 weeks before the baby’s anticipated date of birth and 29 weeks after the birth.

You also have the right to paid time off for antenatal care. If you are unreasonably refused time off you should contact your GMB representative .

You will get some pay during your maternity leave, provided you have worked for at least 26 weeks for the same employer by the 11th week before the baby is expected and provided that your average earnings were more than £72 a week. Maternity pay consists of two elements: 90% of your average weekly pay for the first six weeks followed by a flat rate payment of £62.20 (2001*/2002). You don’t have to agree to go back to work to get the pay. If you are having any difficulty getting leave or pay contact your GMB representative immediately.

Your employer has specific obligations to protect your health and well being while pregnant or breast feeding. If necessary employers must change your hours, offer alternative work or suspend you on full pay until your entitlement to maternity leave begins.
* with effect from April 2001

PARENTAL RIGHTS
From 15th December 1999 you will have the right to take unpaid leave during the first five years of your child’s life. In total you can take up to three months in periods of no less than a week at a time provided you give your employer adequate notice of your wish to take the leave. If you are a parent or have caring responsibilities you will also have the right to time off to deal with a family or emergency. However this time off will not necessarily be paid unless the workplace agreement provides for it.