1. Check that you have issued a Maternity leave plan for completion.
Completing the maternity plan is not a legal requirement to be able to claim maternity leave and pay, but it will give you all the information you will need. If you go through the form with your employee, it will help you to ensure that she understands her entitlements and obligations. Make sure that you use the Maternity leave dates calculator to check the correct dates for the qualifying week.
2. Check that you have received a MATB1 form to notify you that an employee is pregnant. NB Academic staff must send their MATB1 forms to their divisional contacts.
MATB1 medical certificates are issued to pregnant women at approximately the 25th week of pregnancy. However, depending on appointment dates, the date the certificate is received could be a little later. You should ask your employee to give you her certificate as soon as she receives it.
3. Ensure that you have gone through the University maternity plan with your employee to make sure you are aware of:
- her intentions with regard to returning to work
- the EWC
- her intended maternity leave start date
- whether she intends (if eligible) to take up Shared Parental Leave (SPL).
When you have received the MATB1 certificate you can check the qualifying week dates on the maternity calculator. Payroll can also confirm the right date for the qualifying week.
4. Check that you have kept a copy of the maternity plan for your records and that you have given your employee a copy.
5. Check that you have acknowledged receipt of the plan with an acknowledgment letter within 28 days of receiving it.
6. Discuss the employee's wishes regarding arrangements for keeping in contact during the maternity leave.
7. Discuss the option of 'Keeping in Touch' days, what these might entail and how payment for these will be arranged.