Pregnancy-related rights are among the strongest protections in UK employment law. They are day-one rights — no qualifying service is needed. Employers who fail to uphold them face automatically unfair dismissal claims and uncapped discrimination compensation.
Day-One Rights
Paid Time Off for Antenatal Care
Pregnant employees are entitled to reasonable paid time off for antenatal appointments. This includes medical examinations, relaxation classes, and parentcraft classes recommended by a doctor or midwife. The employer can request evidence of the appointment (except for the first appointment) but cannot refuse time off.
Risk Assessment
Employers have a duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to carry out a risk assessment for pregnant employees and new mothers. If a risk is identified, the employer must:
- Adjust the working conditions or hours to remove the risk
- If that's not possible, offer suitable alternative work on the same terms
- If that's not possible, suspend the employee on full pay
Protection from Dismissal
Any dismissal where the reason (or principal reason) is pregnancy, childbirth, or a related matter is automatically unfair — from day one, with no qualifying service. This includes dismissal for:
- Pregnancy itself
- Pregnancy-related sickness
- Taking maternity leave
- Exercising maternity rights
Protection from Discrimination
Less favourable treatment because of pregnancy or maternity is direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. The protection runs from the start of pregnancy until the end of maternity leave. Compensation for pregnancy discrimination is uncapped.
Specific Protections
- Pregnancy-related sickness must not be counted in absence management trigger points
- The employee cannot be selected for redundancy on grounds related to pregnancy
- If redundancy arises during maternity leave, the employee must be offered any suitable alternative vacancy in priority
- All contractual benefits continue during maternity leave (except wages)
Managing pregnancy at work requires careful handling. Our HR support team provides guidance from notification through to return. Get expert advice.