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Maternity and paternity leave and pay

Employees can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave and up to 2 weeks of Paternity Leave. Statutory pay depends on how long you have worked for your employer and how much you earn.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Go to the official website: gov.uk

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Who handles it

Step by step

  1. Use the GOV.UK maternity or paternity planner to work out your dates and what you may get.
  2. At least 15 weeks before the due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want your leave to start.
  3. For Statutory Maternity Pay, give at least 28 days' notice and proof of pregnancy (a letter from your doctor or midwife, or the MATB1 certificate).
  4. For Paternity Leave, tell your employer at least 28 days before whether you want 1 or 2 weeks and when they start. You do not need proof of the birth.
  5. Your employer must confirm your dates and pay. If you do not qualify for pay, they must give you form SMP1 or SPP1 explaining why.

What you need

  • A MATB1 certificate or a letter from your doctor or midwife (for maternity pay)
  • Written notice to your employer with the due date and your leave dates
  • The paternity notice form from GOV.UK, or your employer's own form

Common mistakes

  • Not giving proof of pregnancy within 21 days of the start of maternity pay: without it you will not get SMP.
  • Missing the notice deadlines, which can delay your leave or pay.
  • Not checking Maternity Allowance if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

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