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Maternity & Paternity

If you are a new parent, or you are expecting a baby, you should be aware of your rights regarding your employment. If you require legal assistance with determining your parental rights or bringing a claim for maternity or paternity discrimination, Hodgkinsons Solicitors Employment Law Team can help you. For expert legal advice, call our Dispute Resolution Solicitors on 01754 897150 or submit an online contact form.

At Hodgkinsons Solicitors, Skegness, our Team of Dispute Resolution Experts have many years of experience in advising parents on all aspects of maternity and paternity rights. New and expectant parents often have a lot to handle without the added complications if an employer has discriminated against their rights to parental leave and pay, which is why Hodgkinsons are here to resolve any disputes which may arise.

Maternity discrimination claims

Regardless of the duration of employment, pay or hours worked, mothers have a legal right to take up to a year of maternity leave. All female employees are entitled to maternity leave, however, checking who qualifies as an “employee” can be difficult, so if you are unsure, let Hodgkinsons help you to find out your specific rights based on your circumstances.

Your employer should agree to your maternity leave if you have given them the right amount of notice. Statutory maternity leave can be up to 52 weeks and mothers are also entitled to:

  • maternity pay;
  • paid time off for antenatal appointments;
  • protection from dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy, childbirth or maternity;
  • the ability to return to work after maternity leave.

If your employer decides that you cannot take maternity leave, this is likely to be maternity discrimination. Discrimination against a pregnant woman regarding employment is illegal, and where discrimination occurs, a claim can be made. Our Employment Law Solicitors who are experts in the field of Maternity and Paternity Claims, can help you get the maternity leave and pay that you are legally entitled to.

Paternity discrimination claims

If you are the father of a baby, you have adopted a child, or you are the mother’s partner, you are legally entitled to either 1 or 2 weeks of paternity leave. Whilst paternity rights are not the same as maternity rights, fathers and partners are eligible for a number of entitlements including:

  • paternity pay;
  • paid time off for two antenatal appointments;
  • one or two week’s paid ordinary paternity leave;
  • shared parental leave and pay;
  • the ability to return to work after paternity leave;
  • the ability to continue accruing holidays whilst on paternity leave;
  • the ability to continue receiving pay rises whilst on paternity leave.

In order to qualify for paternity leave there are a number of obligations. If you have been denied paternity leave yet your circumstances qualify, Hodgkinsons can help you to make a claim for Paternity Discrimination. Often where fathers are entitled to paternity leave, they are entitled to paternity pay. Statutory Paternity Pay is paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay, however, in order to qualify the father must earn an average and minimum of £118.00 a week and agree to continue working up to the date of birth. If you qualify for paternity pay, yet your employer has refused this, Hodgkinsons’ Paternity Discrimination Specialists can help you to resolve your dispute.

Employers have a responsibility to treat employees fairly, it is vital that you understand your maternity and paternity leave rights at work so that you can identify whether your employer has neglected their duties. Our Team of Specialists can help you to identify your entitlements and assist in cases of unfair dismissal. Whether you are located in the East Midlands, rural Lincolnshire or in the surrounding areas of Skegness including Boston, Lincoln, Louth and Grimsby, our Team can help you. Regardless of how you have been discriminated against, if you believe that your maternity or paternity rights are being infringed, call Hodgkinsons’ Team of experienced Employment Solicitors on 01754 897150 or submit an online contact form and a member of the Team will be in touch.