Maternity rights just got better

From 6 April, maternity rights just got a whole lot better. For the first time, paternity rights and rights for people adopting children have also been introduced. To help members understand all about the new rights and how to exercise them Usdaw has published a new maternity rights pack, which is also available online.

Maternity rights pack

If you are currently expecting a baby, have recently given birth or in the process of adopting then you could be entitled to:

• More maternity pay and leave.

• Two weeks paternity pay and leave for fathers and partners (including women in same sex relationships).

• A new right to 26 weeks paid adoption leave with a further 26 weeks unpaid leave available.

These are some of the biggest changes to the rights of working parents that the UK has seen since maternity rights were first introduced in 1975.

Usdaw's maternity pack contains seven different leaflets covering maternity, paternity and other parental rights:

Leaflet 1 Health and Safety

Leaflet 2 Leave and Pay

Leaflet 3 Returning to Work

Leaflet 4 Miscarriage and Stillbirth

Leaflet 5 Extra Money for Mothers and Babies

Leaflet 6 Sickness and Redundancy

Leaflet 7 Post Natal Depression

The pack also includes a wall chart that flags up dates you need to remember during your pregnancy. For example, the week in which you need to give your employer notice of the start date of your maternity leave.

You can order all of the above seven leaflets and wall chart together, price £2.00 per pack plus p+p (10% of the total) by e-mailing the Stationery Department or by telephone on 0161-224 2804, or you can order any leaflet separately .

We also have updated and reprinted our Maternity Rights: Guide for Usdaw Reps (formally known as the 'purple book').

If you have any questions concerning maternity, paternity or other parental rights you can contact the Women and Equalities Department at Central Office or visit the Maternity Alliance.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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