New Maternity Leave laws are being introduced for April 6th 2007
Here you will find links to help & information for both Employers & Employees ...
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The New laws will come into force on April 6th 2007 (with a pre-week allowance for Baby's Due date)
The Statutory Maternity Pay rate ~SMP was increased on April 1st 2006 from £106 to £108.25.
The Biggest changes to the Maternity Leave laws are that ...
~~ 
You don't have to qualify for
Additional
Maternity
Leave ~
AML anymore ~ it is of your own decision to take it or not !!
It does remain as 26 weeks unpaid leave - unless your contract states otherwise !!
~~ You must now give 8 weeks notice (56 days) of returning to work ~ instead of the previous 28 days (4 weeks!)
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Need to tell your employer you are expecting a baby or
Just been told your employee is pregnant - SEE HERE for what to do next.
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About MATERNITY LEAVE
There are 2 standards of leave
OML ~ Ordinary Maternity Leave
26 weeks of unconditional Leave ~ as long as certain notification dates are met.
You must tell your employer you are pregnant by the the end of the 15th week BEFORE baby is due.
NOT the 15th Week of pregnancy.
This is classed at the qualification/notification week.
OML can be taken at any point from the 11th week before the date your baby is due.
NOT the 11th week of pregnancy.
This means you can leave work on the date you choose ~ once you have 11 weeks left to go before Baby is due.
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AML ~ Additional Maternity Leave
Quote:
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After additional maternity leave, the obligation on the employer is to offer the same job, but if this is impractical, a job which is suitable and appropriate must be offered ~
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Taken from Business.Timesonline
Currently to be eligible for AML you must of worked for your employer successively for 26 weeks.
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Returning to work (as of April 2007 !!)
Employees MUST give 56 days written notice of when they want to return to work.
Employers MUST also notify employees 56 days beforehand ~ of when their staff member is expected to return.
SEE HERE for a Suggested Form
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STATUTORY MATERNITY PAY ~ SMP
A great website for finding out about Statutory Maternity Pay is on this page of Department of Work and Pensions ~ DWP website.
Statuary Maternity Pay rate was increased on April 1st 2006 from £106 to £108.25.
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MATERNITY ALLOWANCE
If don't qualify for SMP you may be able to claim MA~ Maternity Allowance
Find out if you are Eligible
Claim online from the JobCentre Plus website
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FREE MILK
If you recieve certain benefits, you may be eligible for Free milk - Download and print this
application form and ask your Midwife / Doctor to sign it once you are 10+ weeks pregnant.
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:reading: For more information on Maternity issues see these pages of WorkSmart.co.uk ~ The website belongs to the TUC - the umbrella organisation for unions ~ it's website content provides clear and unbiased advice/information for free, that you can use in everyday life!
Maternity Leave and Pay
Paternity Leave and Pay ~ The new 2007 laws will affect this as well.
Adoption Leave ~ Relates to a claim for Paternity leave & pay.
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At any point ~ if you need assistance on Employee / Employer issues www.ACAS.co.uk welcomes contact from individuals and organisations ~ They aim to help with any relation difficulties, misunderstandings or to sign post you in the right direction.
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ACRONYM reminder cos we all love acronyms huh .... 
:frog:
SMP ~ Statutory Maternity Pay = 39 weeks of payment.
SML ~ Statutory Maternity Leave = 52 weeks in total.
OML ~ Ordinary Maternity Leave = 26 weeks
AML ~ Additional Maternity Leave = 26 weeks
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If you have any views, thoughts or information on this subject ~ Please carry on posting ....
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Disclaimer
All the information contained in this post is intended for guidance use only - It is not intended to replace personally received legal advice.
If you require personal advice please refer to an independent legal advisory organisation who will be able to assist you.
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